A&E Puts 'Duck Dynasty' Star on Hiatus
Phil Robertson -- the patriarch of the Duck Dynasty clan and inventor of the family's profitable line of duck calls -- is coming under fire for comments made about homosexuals in a recent magazine article.
"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," the 67-year-old Robertson tells reporter Drew Magary for an article in the January issue of GQ (on newsstands Dec. 24). "Don't be deceived. 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," Robertson adds.
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The reality star doesn't stop there in opining his views on homosexuality. "It seems like, to me, a vagina -- as a man --would be more desirable than a man's anus. That's just me. I'm just thinking: There's more there! She's got more to offer. I mean, come on, dudes! You know what I'm saying? But hey, sin: It's not logical, my man. It's just not logical."
Robertson also issues an ambitious call to repentance for all the world. "The Robertson family really believes strongly that if the human race loved each other and they loved God, we would just be better off. We ought to just be repentant, turn to God and let's get on with it, and everything will turn around."
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The gay rights organization GLAAD issued the following statement after learning of Robertson's 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," GLADD spokesperson Wilson Cruz said. "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 reexamine their ties to someone with such public disdain for LGBT people and families."
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He is also quoted as making controversial statements about the racial history of his native South. "Where we lived was all farmers. The blacks worked for the farmers. I hoed cotton with them. I'm with the blacks, because we're white trash," Robertson said.
"They're singing and happy. I never heard one of them, one black person say, 'I tell you what: These doggone white people' -- not a word!... Pre-entitlement, pre-welfare, you say: Were they happy? They were godly; they were happy; no one was singing the blues."
A&E also issued a statement on Robertson's behalf in reaction to his controversial comments. It reads: "I myself am a product of the '60s; I centered my life around sex, drugs and rock and roll until I hit rock bottom and accepted Jesus as my Savior. My mission today is to go forth and tell people about why I follow Christ and also what the Bible teaches, and part of that teaching is that women and men are meant to be together. However, I would never treat anyone with disrespect just because they are different from me. We are all created by the Almighty and like Him, I love all of humanity. We would all be better off if we loved God and loved each other."
UPDATE: Following the uproar surrounding the reality star's GQ interview, A&E, which airs Duck Dynasty, issued the following statement:
"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. 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."
GLAAD spokesman Wilson Cruz applauded the suspension, telling The Wrap, "What's clear is that such hateful, anti-gay comments are unacceptable to fans, viewers and networks alike. By taking quick action and removing Robertson from future filming, A&E has sent a strong message that discrimination is neither a Christian nor an American value."
Do you think Robertson should be taken off the show?