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Duck Dynasty star suspended over anti-gay remarks

A&E distances itself from homophobic comments from Duck Dynasty star, and suspends him indefinitely.

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2013-12-19_2305Phil Robertson, one of the stars of US factual series Duck Dynasty, has been suspended by A&E following his comments in the January issue of GQ, likening homosexuality in the same category as bestiality.

“Start with homosexual behavior and just morph out from there. Bestiality, sleeping around with this woman and that woman and that woman and those men.”

“Neither the adulterers, the idolaters, the male prostitutes, the homosexual offenders, the greedy, the drunkards, the slanderers, the swindlers — they won’t inherit the kingdom of God. Don’t deceive yourself. It’s not right.”

Despite ardent fans defending him, A&E suspended him as a result.

“We are extremely disappointed to have read Phil Robertson’s comments in GQ, which are based on his own personal beliefs and are not reflected in the series Duck Dynasty,” the network said in a statement. “His personal views in no way reflect those of A+E Networks, who have always been strong supporters and champions of the LGBT community. The network has placed Phil under hiatus from filming indefinitely.”

Gay rights group GLAAD spokesman Wilson Cruz slammed the remarks:

“Phil and his family claim to be Christian, but Phil’s lies about an entire community fly in the face of what true Christians believe. He clearly knows nothing about gay people or the majority of Louisianans — and Americans — who support legal recognition for loving and committed gay and lesbian couples. Phil’s decision to push vile and extreme stereotypes is a stain on A&E and his sponsors who now need to re-examine their ties to someone with such public disdain for LGBT people and families.”

UPDATE 28/12: A&E is reinstating Robertson to Duck Dynasty, despite him not missing any filming during this brief suspension.

Source: CNN, LA Times

5 Responses

  1. If it really was reality TV, why not show the reality of these awful human beings on the show?

    These shows want to present themselves as being reality, something like this shows just how fake they are.

    If A&E came out and said, we strongly disagree, but our show is documentary in nature, these are our subjects.

    Could anyone fault them?

    One of the most compelling arguments for freedom of speech is that it allows people to express their true ideas, thoughts and feelings. If there are objectionable ideas, then through voicing them allows them to be addressed and countered.

    Have a dialogue that these people and these ideas still exist. Don’t try and sweep it under the rug and pretend it doesn’t. That will only help them foster.

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