Kim Burrell Apologizes To The LGBTQ+ Community For Past Homophobic Remarks

Source: Gabe Ginsberg / Getty

Kim Burrell has apologized to the LGBTQ+ community. The singer made amends for her past homophobic comments during the 39th annual Stellar Awards that was taped this past Saturday (July 20).

“There is such a care to take when you realize you’re not just preaching to the choir anymore,” she began her speech after receiving the Aretha Franklin Icon Award. “You’re preaching to the ones who wanted to be in the choir, but [were] too scared to come because they didn’t understand our language.”

Burrell then went on to issue her full apology to the community even calling for the audience to give them a round of applause.

“There is nothing more hurtful than to think [or] to imagine that you said something in the name of God and it hurt somebody,” she said.

Burrell has received backlash for making derogatory comments toward people who identify as LGBTQ+. According to GLAAD, back in 2017, she preached a sermon at the Love & Liberty Fellowship Church in Houston, TX referring to homosexual acts as “perverted.”

“The perverted homosexual spirit, and the spirit of delusion and confusion, it has deceived many men and women,” she said at the time, making no apologies for her message following the backlash she received. 

At the time, she was set to perform with Pharrell Williams on the Ellen Degeneres Show but was banned by the esteemed host. She later clarified her remarks saying “I love you and God loves you. But God hates the sin.”

Now, Burrell looks ready to embrace the community. 

“We want them to have strength and to sincerely know that we must do the work to embrace all of what God’s people and show forth his love to everyone,” she said. “Tonight, I hope this award and this moment can be the beginning of a bridge building and listening to each other as we follow peace with all men and develop the character of God, which requires seeing God.”

A clip of Burrell’s speech has made its rounds on social media. Some have accused her speech of being sarcastic and condescending while others are calling on her to stand on what she said and to not waiver on her religious beliefs. 

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