Jennifer Hudson might be getting a lot of positive press for her kick ass role in Dreamgirls, but her recent statements are sure to cast a ashadow over all the positive buzz. She says that being gay is a sin, but it’s – you know, not any worse than other sin. She means like stealing and cheating on your wife, right? What bothers me is her opinion of course, which is antiquated and bigoted, but also that she talks about herself in the third person and uses the tired “I have gay friends” excuse. That’s so stupid:
As a Baptist who’s singing at circuit party, has Hudson reconciled her spiritual beliefs and her gay fan base? Does she support same-sex marriage?
“Nobody has ever asked me these questions,” she says.
“Everybody sins,” Hudson continues. “No sin is greater or different than the other. To each his own. If it don’t bother Jennifer, then Jennifer don’t mind. I don’t really even think about it because I don’t believe in judging people for what they do.”When referencing themselves, lots of divas probably do that schizophrenic thing where they toggle between first and third person. But did Hudson just say that being gay is a sin?
“According to the way we’re taught, and what it says in the Bible — it is,” Hudson says.
If her answers didn’t already sound like fundamentalist clichés, Hudson then added, “I have plenty of gay friends.”
Her answers were surprising.
I had a hunch that Hudson was religious. But when it came to questions about the gay community, I had hoped she might emerge with a thoughtful response.
Because she’s a relatively new star, some may say it’s unfair that Hudson should be asked to comment on social issues. But another reporter at the roundtable pointed out that Hudson is a zaftig, dark-skinned woman. He asked Hudson if she feels a responsibility to represent young African-American women in a positive light.
“I do think it’s important to be a good role model,” she says. “It just occurred to me a few days ago that I might be a role model. I’m sure that’s a part that comes with the territory. And I want to make sure I represent them well. And give all females — no matter what age, what race — something to look up to.”
Part of “Dreamgirls” chronicles the rise of the Civil Rights movement. I tell Hudson that gay audiences might feel a connection because they’re still fighting for equal rights. And when it comes to same-sex issues, all sorts of people might look to Hudson to shed positive light.“I feel we should all have our rights,” she says. “It shouldn’t concern everybody else what somebody’s personal life has going on.”
Hudson has said this before, so it’s not new news, but now that she’s getting so much press she should realize it’s time to stop talking about it.
It seems like she answered this question because she’s not media-savvy enough to know that she should keep her mouth shut and change the subject. She has a right to an opinion no matter how much it makes me shake my head and hope that her career will tank, but she should realize that it’s going to hurt her in Hollywood if she continues to talk about it openly.
She also says she “thinks the world of the gay community” and “if they love me, I must be fierce, honey.”
Do you think the gay community is going to overlook the fact that she says they’re all a bunch of sinners?
I was all “go Hudson,” yesterday, because even though I’ve heard this about her before I completely forgot about it. Now it’s not so easy to see her as this up and coming star that has earned her success.
Pictures and story from Faded Youth and ONTD.
Update: Maybe you guys are right that I’m just as bad as Hudson for condemning her for an opinion. It’s an emotional topic and I just couldn’t keep my mouth shut about it. I have gay family members though and it really annoys me when people say it’s somehow a sinful “lifestyle.”
See, I understand what she’s saying. Yes, in the Christian church homosexuality is considered a sin, but so is lying (which everyone does) and so is gossiping (which, once again, everyone does). That said, I think she handled the situation very tactfully in regards to her religion, she didn’t try and make it seem like homosexuals were beneath her and she acknowledged that it’s just as sin and not a condemnation.
There’s nothing bigoted about disagreeing with a lifestyle. Like she said, she disagrees with it, but she’s not the one on the judge’s bench. I think that was very well said.
Making a big hoopla about someone not agreeing with homosexuality, is almost as narrow minded as making a hoppla about someone who is homosexual. Just, everybody leave everybody else alone, you know? Whatever their opinion or their lifestyle…
I’m Catholic and they also believe its a sin. Frankly, I accept gay people for who they are — and not judge them for what they do in their bedroom. But that’s just me. I can’t speak for all the catholics. Same goes for Jennifer. This very same thing was drudged up by Carol Channing last week. She accepts gays for what they are but her religions convictions doesn’t accept the lifestyle. Does it mean folks like me, Jennifer and Carol have to abandon our faith for fear of being labeled “homophobe”. I don’t think so.
Jennifer is A-OK in my book. The woman has faith and I admire her for it.
Pecarrie I agree with your first statement 110%. I myself do not believe in sins. I don’t believe in the bible or organised religion period. But I do respect that she feels strongly about her beliefs and she is just stating what her beliefs are when asked. Why should she have to lie about what her religion dictates and what she puts in her faith in? I do not agree that homosexuality is wrong or a “sin” but I applaud her for not judging other people and accepting homosexuals even if she feels in the eyes of her god they are sinners.
I think she answered a very loaded question in the best and most honest way she knew how.
This upsets me and I don’t even know who this chick is.
Okay, lets get started – GAY is not a behavior, it’s not a action. It in MANY & MOST cases is not a choice. It is who you are. It is who you find attractive and who you are comfortable with. I can not expect everyone to understand this because quiet honestly I did not truly understand it for a long time. I was raised in church – unaware of what GAY even was, when I went to public school I rejected the idea of same sex attraction as real, I just figured that everyone had secret crushes on there friends. High school came and I dated boys, I enjoyed them okay and even convinced myself that I was in love. Then, at 24, I met my best friend – a lesbian with the most beautiful face and the smoothest skin – and that middle school feeling of being OVERWHELMINGLY in love with my best friend came rushing back. The first time she kissed me my heart broke – I had NEVER been so aware of myself, never had such a desire to be with someone, never felt that comfortable. She kissed me and I realized that that was the feelings all my strait friends were talking about that I never had with my boyfriends. I prayed and cryed and took a lot of time to figure things out – I am gay, I am a proud lesbian mother, I vote, I care about my enviroment, I work full time, I pray every night with my daughter (who I honestly hope is straight because I want her life to be as easy as possible), I write, I create art, I am as loyal a person you could ever meet. Yes, the love of my life, my partner is a woman – but that is not who I am and it doesn’t put me in the same group of people who steal, cheat, murder, ect.
This woman, and others like her make me sad more than anything.
Thanks you guys, I understand what you’re saying and I do agree that she has a right to her opinion, which I said here. It does really change my impression of her and that’s basically what I’m saying here. There’s also the issue of calling homosexuality a “lifestyle” or a “choice” vs. accepting people for how they are.
When you call it a lifestyle you are implying that it is different from how other people live. People fall in and out of love, raise families, have children, and just because they have a same sex partner doesn’t mean their lifestyle is different from the rest of us.
It’s a minor distinction and there are huge parallels between the civil rights and gay rights movement as is mentioned in this article.
I thought religion was supposed to accept everyone, not condemn them or somehow think they’re lesser than other people, even though they, you know, are great and we have them as friends and all.
Thanks for listening and I do respect your opinion too and appreciate you taking the time to comment.
Raejillian I did not read your comment before I made mine as we were probably writing them at the same time. Thanks so much for your honesty and I totally agree with you that being gay is just who you are. It is a very controversial topic and I do not want to alienate readers, who I all value, I just want to make my opinion know on it.
Looks like she fell into the same trap that Mandisa (another female African-American American Idol ex-contestant) fell into early this year. The thing is that if you ask someone who is media-untrained, she or he will speak from the heart.
I’m Catholic too, but I don’t think that being gay is a sin. At the same time though, I won’t automatically condemn someone who feels differently from me, unless they’re extremist in their views.
During Thanksgiving I went with my boyfriend to his parents’ house in Houston. I met this really nice couple who are friends of his parents, and we got along really well. Later than evening they showed us some photos on their digital camera. One of them happened to be of the man on a hunting trip, surrounded by dead ducks. I’m from California and definitely am against hunting, but do I like this man less now that I know he hunts? Of course not. He’s a born and bred Texan and most likely voted for Bush, but that’s his decision, and I won’t condemn him for that.
** Now I am officially Ms. Hudson’s enemy. **
OF COURSE, you can judge other people based on what they say and do! Most of the evil in this world comes from the fact that people refuse to judge when a stand needs to be made.
Yes, it is a free country, so Ms. Hudson can judge that I am bad. It is amusing when people say stuff like “you’re a sinner, but it’s okay!”. No, it is not okay if you feel negatively towards somebody or a group of people and try to lie your way through it. Be honest about how you feel. Your true self (à la Michael Richards) will always come out in the end.
The point is, she is allowed to think whatever she wants (God bless America!) AND, I am allowed to judge her right back and dislike her for it and not buy her albums or support her music. Really, if she were Beethoven or something, I would be more forgiving (cost/benefit analysis.) But since she isn’t, goodbye Ms. Hudson!
This reminds me of that Studio 60 episode where the Christian character did the exact same thing.
LOL, Celebitchy, I think that Jennifer Hudson with her narrow-minded views of “sin” will fit right in with Middle America. What did you expect? Comments like that (“what’s wrong with disagreeing with a ‘lifestyle'”) send a chill down my spine. No wonder Bush got elected… twice. I wouldn’t even call her a bigot, she’s just a little girl with no education or background who suddenly is asked for her opinion in controversial matters so she falls back on what she’s been told at her church: it’s a “sin”. In America of “evildoers” and “sinners” she’s as normal as apple pie.
I think she stated her beliefs and opinions in a very careful and moderated manner. She cares about others, even those she doesn’t agree with, and that is very clear. I think it was really well said.
Kudos to dear Jennifer for not glossing over her beliefs but not shoving them down other peoples’ throat either. (After all, she WAS asked.)
I find it sad that she is getting personally attacked as having no education just because her beliefs differ from others. If she believed that homosexuality is not a sin would you still say she doesn’t have an education or that she is a ‘little girl’? I didn’t think so.
Jennifer was pretty classy in expressing herself. Unfortunately, like Mandisa mentioned earlier, she’s hedging the issue. She states that she loves gay people, but she thinks that who they are is as bad as stealing or infidelity. It seems like she hasn’t made up her mind yet. Saying that you think a certain way just because the Bible tells you so isn’t exactly a great picture of faith… so many Christians don’t believe homosexuality is a sin.
it’s not necessarily a matter of education, it’s a matter of critical thinking and introspection. i can fully respect anyone’s beliefs, even if i don’t agree with them, AS LONG as they are beliefs that were established personally. if it’s something that was handed down to you by a parent, friend or religious text and you take it as fact without reflecting or inquiring, that’s where the problems begin. and since ms. hudson specifically said in the article that these weren’t things she had personally thought about before, and had to resort to the old “the bible told me so” rationale – that’s what i personally disagree with.
not to mention the fact that, as many others have correctly stated, homosexuality is not a lifestyle choice. claiming that all homosexuals are sinners (implying they are doing something inherntly wrong by living their lives) is just as ridiculous as calling everyone who has freckles or colour blindness or tastebud preference for vanilla ice cream sinners.
Poor deluded Jennifer…I feel sorry for her. Having said that, I have no desire to see this movie, listen to any of her CDs, nor ever see her in anything ever again. That is my life-style choice.
Im not religious and I don’t think being gay is a sin or anything. But I thought her answer was a good answer. She said techincally yes its a sin if you go by the bible but she doesn’t judge people, its not her job. She did a good job answering it and im sorry that a lot of people are going to take her words out of context. She probably thinks pre marital sex is a sin too but isn’t gonna bring fire and brimstone down on her friends or herself.
She has a right to state her opinion. Although I view her opinion as wrong, I do understand her. Remember she’s young! When I was 21, I also thought being gay was wrong. I grew up and opened my mind and understood that gay rights are human rights and that I couldn’t be against one and say I was for the other.
Anon, I do agree that if she’s simply believing or regurgitating biblical beliefs without putting thinking through those beliefs, it’s a problem. ‘Believe because this is what I was told to believe’ doesn’t mean half as much as, ‘I believe this because I thought it through, still agree, and I believe it.’
hopefully spending time in the industry will help her figure this out more, although it seems people are still less likely to come out in the movie industry as say, the fashion one.
The Bible is a great book, but one must remember that it has been fashioned, and re-fashioned by those in power throughout history. Take for example the King James’ version, then take a look at King James.
Message to Jen Hudz,
Welcome back to Obscurity, we missed you.
This just goes to show what hold the scary-ass bible belt has on people. I’m sure Jesus said to gallavant around half naked, shaking it, and also to make a million dollars and NOT give it to the poor or others. I don’t even know who she is, but now I’ll always ‘know her’ for her ignorance. “Homosexuality is a sin” is just a joke. I’m sure girl has never masturbated, either. She’ll be a has-been.
People don’t just become gay they are born that way. Alot of my family members are gay. My younger sister is gay and I’m the girly one. I’m also the oldest. I would do her hair help her get dressed. I did her make-up but all that did not matter cuz she still turned out gay. Thinking back on it I knew it. My dad’s brother is also gay and he’s the youngest out of five and none of the others turn gay. I love my sister and there’s nothing I would do for her. I’ve been there for the good and bad. Her relationships are the same as a straight person just w/ a girl. It’s a natural part of life. Animals and insects have same sex relations because it’s normal. But’s it’s ok for a man to be with more then one wife…Please that shit is not normal. I just wish people would stop calling this a sin…IT IS NOT! Love is love and there’s nothing wrong with loving.
Obviously, this is a very hot topic. But no one is going to change the minds of others on either side of the situation. Everyone has their firm beliefs and personal gay stories (My aunt is gay, or I’m gay) or bible stories (The bible says it’s wrong) will not change peoples’ minds.
What it all comes down to is how did Jennifer Hudson state her beliefs when asked the question? Was she mean spirited? Was she hateful? Was she respectful? Was she kind?
This is not about whether or not she has the same viewpoint as you or anyone else. And she doesn’t read this so there’s no point in trying to convince her here, on celebitchy, it’s not a sin. You may as well email her fan club if that’s the case.
Personally, I know nothing about this chick and have never listened to anything she’s made. Nor do I care to. But, I LIKE the way she stated her belief. I would have liked it if she had stated the opposite belief the same way. It all comes down to how it’s said for me. People can have the opposite viewpoints and I will still respect them given how they well they respect my beliefs in return. It’s the ones who downplay or simply state “I’m wrong” about my opinions and beliefs that I don’t respect.
well, I am always curious where exactly in the Bible does it say that being gay is a sin…oh, but i do remember something about adultry,stealing…and cheating on your taxes.
And to those Catholics who are affraid of being labeled a homophobe…dont worry just embrace it…rule of thumb…if you think what your saying is homophobic are racist…it probably is
Well said, Action.
Thanks Patsy.
If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them. — Lev.20:13
Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.–Lev. 18:22
Christians (or anyone else for that matter) should not judge others and their lifestyles. Yet, it is a Christian’s duty to share and witness to others about Jesus and his teachings. The Bible is very plain in its stance on homosexuality. Regardless of what the general public has to say about homosexuality, the Bible plainly states it is a sin. (Not that it is any worse than any other sin, but still…a sin). Humans try to twist the Bible to support their own agendas and minimize their own guilt…but I believe the Lord was clear in his stance on this issue. I don’t believe it is okay to HATE gays…the Bible teaches love. However, it is perfectly fine to disagree with the homosexual lifestyle and at the same time, not want to promote that lifestyle.
hate the sin and love the sinner. Isn’t that in the bible somewhere to? What she said doesn not make her homophobic by any means. She didn’t say she was disgusted, she didn’t say that she wanted nothing to do with people like that, she didn’t say that she was going to judge them for what they do. She sees being gay as a sin, so be it. WHy can’t you dislike a lifestyle? WHy do we have to live in a world where everyone likes everyone for everything they do? You’re telling me that the guys and girls in PETA don’t think that wearing fur and eating meat is an adbomination? I see more anger coming towards Miss Hudson for her belief than she has towards gays for their beliefs. A lot of you are hypocrites.
The bible also says that it is okay to eat your newborn baby in a time of famine. (Deut. 28:56-57) And I don’t agree with that either. Or any of the other awful things that the bible says. People pick and choose what they want to from that book.
Personally, I feel a little sorry for this woman. It sounds like her heart is telling her one thing and her church is telling her something else, and she’s doing her best to try to synthesise the two and keep her morals intact. But (as someone mentioned) she’s still very young, and her tune can change drastically quickly. I hope that she’ll be able to learn that you can be a Christian without adhering to what your church/pastor/family tell you to blindly believe.
Damn, when did we loose the right to Free Speech?
Why is it when people counter one point in the bible with another, they always choose the most out-there, outlandish point to choose? And then not provide the context for the point?
THe bible doesn’t say it is okay to eat your newborn in a time of famine, if you took the time to read the whole passage leading up to it, you will only end up eating your newborn if:
“thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of Jehovah thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day, that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee.” Deut. 28:30 or so to 58
You just listed something that was clearly meant to be a curse and the worst possible fate as a choice. Way to prove your point. THe bible also says that adultry, murder, and stealing are sins. Should we assume those sins aren’t wrong as well just because you miss-quoted a passage?
I’m amazed at people discussing Bible verses as if they actually explained anything…So I guess you also believe that the world was created in exactly 7 days, right? Nice and simple, no need to think too hard.
Kailie2, you, dear are one of the people I would NOT respect because you sure don’t seem to respect other’s beliefs and opinions as genuine and meaningful.
If these people feel the Bible explains things to them, why cut them for it? Why is it that people who believe the bible are supposedly simple minded? That’s downright rude, judgemental and hateful–no better than someone hating a person who’s gay. Give that some thought.
I do find it rediculous that people are quoting bible passages left and right. No one is going to take anything you say to heart, anyway, so there’s no need to quote it.
I’ve said it before, no one is going to change anyone else’s mind on the matter. It all depends how we state our beliefs on the matter and how we respond to the way other’s state their beliefs as valid opinions (while we may not necessarily agree with it).
Personally, I think the way we discriminate against gay people in this country is just disgusting. I am horrified at the number of people out there who curse gay people for being sinners for no good reason whatsoever, claim that AIDS is god’s punishment, etc etc. It’s one of the greatest tragedies in this society that even in this day an age, after hundreds of years of supposed freedom, we still treat gay people as lesser citizens. It’s ridiculous.
That being said, it seems to me that Jennifer Hudson is one of the last people we should attack. A religious person who thinks it’s a sin and yet STILL thinks gay people should be allowed to live their lives the way they want without interference? Now I’m not much of a fan of religion, and it’s just plain dumb to think that homosexuality is a sin, but if more of the religious people out there could be so accepting of something they think is a sin, we probably wouldn’t have all the problems and discrimination that we have today. So she thinks it’s a sin–at least she’s still supportive. Don’t waste your energy attacking this girl, when there are plenty of other people out there that are actively doing harm to gay people.
Anonymous, Well said! And I completely agree.
As has been said, there’s nothing bigoted about her beliefs. I think homosexuality is wrong, but then every single person on earth is a sinner, according to the Bible – even me. So, while I am against homosexuality, I’m no more against someone who lives that way than I am against myself. I’m not a better human specimen than they are.
But the Bible does say, quite explicitly, that homosexual relations are wrong, and I do take the Bible at its word – ludicrous though it may be to some of you. That’s my two cents. 🙂
Free speech is about respecting the universal right to state an opinion. It doesn’t necessarily respecting that opinion. I’ll defend anyone’s right to bring God/Jesus into a conversation, just as I’d expect them to defend my right to say I’m an atheist and couldn’t care less about what God/Jesus had to say about anything (or better, what some dude claimed God/Jesus had to say about anything). But in the end, I still think “the Bible says so” has got to be the weakest argument one can bring to a discussion. There should be a new Godwin’s Law, in fact, just for these matters. Themes that are as important as gay marriage, abortion and stem cell research should not come down to believing what one book says or not.
To be more on topic, saying “hey, I think it’s omgwrong, but we’re all sinners, I have gay friends, lalala” is not that much better than just going out and admitting you believe homosexuals are going to burn in hell.
“admitting you believe homosexuals are going to burn in hell.”
Most Christian’s don’t believe that if you sin you’ll burn in hell. Because, if that were the case, everyone would be in hell, no matter who you are or what you believe. Sins are forgiven and it’s not the acts one does that gets them into heaven it’s the faith they have. So no, I don’t think there’s any reason that Christians need to admit that homosexuals will burn in hell, since the act of sinning* doesn’t send you to hell, it’s the lack of faith that does.
*Of course, this all depends on the basic principle that Christians think that Homosexuals are sinning. I don’t really fall on that side of the camp.
First, to Action’s statements above, wrong, wrong, wrong!! Some Christians do believe in the fires of hell and that one will spend eternity there for sins. If you belive in God, Jesus Christ and Heaven, them you MUST believe in the existence of “the fires of hell” and their purpose! Having faith alone does not guarantee you a ticket in to heaven! To receive this pass you must ask for forgiveness, from God, for your sins. It’s not like you are allowed to commit sin after sin after sin, but, oh my, as long as I have faith I’m in! Please!!
Secondly, I commend Ms Hudson for her response. Kudos to her!! Everyone in this country has the legal right to live their life in whatever “lifestyle” they choose, thank GOD for the USA. By the same token, everyone has the right to believe and worship as they see fit. It would be a much better society if we all carried our beliefs and faith with us, expressed it when necessary, kept it private when necessary, and, by the grace of GOD, have the knowledge to know the time and place for each!!
Having faith alone DOES guarantee a seat in heaven according to Christians. Do Christians believe they should just keep right on sinning? No, they change their ways to show they are thankful for faith and to praise God. They do not have to ‘ask’ for forgiveness (since it is freely given by God and we do nothing to earn it) nor do they have to do good works to get into heaven.
Since I believe you seem to be a Christian, let me give you a bible passage. Note, I’m only saying this because I think it has meaning to you (like I said before, there’s no point spouting bible quotes to people who don’t value the bible).
Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)
8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faithand this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God 9not by works, so that no one can boast.
Now, that’s not saying no gay people are going to hell. If, according to Christians, they don’t believe in Jesus as their Savior they will go to hell–but that’s the same of straight or gay people, nothing to do at all with their sexuality. But their sheer act of being gay will not send them to hell.
First of all, I have to say that Jennifer Hudson never said we are a bunch of sinners, it was not put so negatively. Her belief, because of the way she was raised, is that homosexuality is a sin. So what?! She was not being discriminatory and she was not hateful. She was answering a question as honestly as she could. I believe that we, the gay community, should excercise the same understanding and acceptance that we ask of everyone else. I think it’s hypocritical to be all “Go Hudson!” one day and do a complete turn around because she feels a certain way. People have feelings and beliefs, and we, as adults, should learn to understand that and not be so sensitive to unimportant matters.
When it comes down to it, this is not really an important matter. How about focusing on things like the war, poverty, AIDS, cancer, public education, our kids, our families, our community (and not just the gay one, there’s a whole big world outside of our bars and antique stores). Let’s put a lid on the unnecessary subjects. Yes, Lance is gay, Yes, he broke up with Reichen, Yes, Colin Farrell is hot, Yes, Brad cheated on Jennifer with Angelina. Let’s focus on our own lives for once.
Good night to all of you.
Wow. Anyone here notice how racist white gays are !-Especially white gay men? I mean, the stuff that comes out of the mouth when the opposition is Black or non white. Irony at its best.
_________________WOW, Jennifer Hudson holds the door knob of the “closet door”.Yes, its Jennifer!- That Bitch.
…..YEP………..Because your “white parents”, your “white friend” and your “white community” has a opposite opinion than Jennifer Hudson.
RACIST ASSHOLE !(no education little girl ?)
when emimen & your church says it. Oh, their just BEING ignorant and you continue to spend your $$$ with them. But when a black person says it. You want to stop their careers and stop them from eating.
Kenri White–WTF?
First of all, how dare the writer of this article even attempt to compare equal rights for gays and Blacks. Being Black is NOT a sin, contrary to popular belief. Therefore, you cannot the compare the rights to those of gays to the rights of Balcks when dealing with it in a spiritual sense.