Update, 9:00 p.m. EST
A&E Network said Wednesday evening that “Duck Dynasty” patriarch Phil Robertson is off the show indefinitely after condemning gays as sinners in a magazine interview. More here.
In an interview with GQ magazine, Phil Robertson — patriarch of the family whose duck hunting products have made them a fortune, and landed them their own reality show, “Duck Dynasty,” on A&E — speaks out against homosexuality, in what GLAAD calls “the vilest and most extreme statements uttered against LGBT people in a mainstream publication.”
Robertson’s outrageous remarks are “littered with outdated stereotypes and blatant misinformation,” said GLAAD, in a statement. Among Robertson’s statements:
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“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.”
And later in the 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,” he says. Then he paraphrases Corinthians: “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.”
[…]
As far as Phil is concerned, he was literally born again. Old Phil — the guy with the booze and the pills — died a long time ago, and New Phil sees no need to apologize for him:
“We never, ever judge someone on who’s going to heaven, hell. That’s the Almighty’s job. We just love ’em, give ’em the good news about Jesus — whether they’re homosexuals, drunks, terrorists. We let God sort ’em out later, you see what I’m saying?”
“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,” said GLAAD spokesperson Wilson Cruz.
“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,” said Cruz, in a statement issued by GLAAD.
GLAAD says it has reached out to A&E to discuss Robertson’s remarks.
