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Sopranos star Michael Imperioli bans “homophobes and bigots” from watching his work

The longtime LGBTQ+ ally clarified his "ironic" statement.
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Michael Imperioli in The White Lotus
Michael Imperioli in The White Lotus Photo: Fabio Lovino/HBO

Sopranos star Michael Imperioli has clarified comments he made on social media blasting the Supreme Court’s decision last week in favor of a Christian web designer who wants to discriminate against same-sex couples.

The court’s 6–3 decision in 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis essentially establishes the right of bigots to deny “expressive services” to members of the public with whom they disagree on religious grounds under the First Amendment’s free speech protections.

Related:

Five key takeaways from the Supreme Court’s anti-LGBTQ decision

The ruling was inevitable, the product of years of effort by the right to favor conservative Christians at the expense of LGBTQ+ rights.

The ruling has drawn widespread condemnation from LGBTQ+ people and their allies, including Imperioli. Over the weekend, he took to Instagram to make his displeasure with the court’s decision known.

As CNN reported, on Saturday the actor posted a screenshot of a headline about the decision.

“I’ve decided to forbid bigots and homophobes from watching The Sopranos, The White Lotus, Goodfellas or any movie or tv show I’ve been in,” Imperioli wrote in the caption to the since-deleted post. “Thank you Supreme Court for allowing me to discriminate and exclude those who I don’t agree with and am opposed to. USA! USA!”

“Hate and ignorance is not a legitimate point of view,” he reportedly wrote in the comments, adding that “America is becoming dumber by the minute.”

After his post made headlines, Imperioli returned to Instagram on Wednesday to clarify that his comments were meant to be “ironic.”

“After turning down invitations to appear on various news programs, I thought it best just to clarify,” he wrote alongside a screenshot of CNN’s coverage. “The post referred to here was a satirical and symbolic take on where blatantly discriminatory Supreme Court decisions are taking us as a nation: into utter division and possibly far worse.”

Imperioli wrote that he believes in “religious freedom, freedom of speech and the right for individuals to pursue happiness.”

But, he wrote, “I also believe in the separation of church and state as stated in the First Amendment.”

“I believe that all people regardless of race, religion, color, creed, gender or sexuality are entitled to freedom, equality, rights and protection under the laws of our nation. And I vehemently oppose hate, prejudice and bigotry and always have,” he continued. “Some people have not gotten the irony I was expressing so I thought I’d be more explicit.”

The White Lotus star noted that his original post “certainly got the message across to most and did it’s [sic] job” — presumably calling out bigotry and homophobia where he sees it.

Imperioli previously posted about 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis last December. “I would like to start a religion that would allow me to discriminate against and deny services to bigots, racists, homophobes and narrow-minded, intolerant Americans,” he wrote alongside a screenshot of a headline reporting that the Supreme Court appeared likely to side with web designer Lorie Smith. “Anyone interested please respond here.”

In March, the Emmy-winning actor posted an image of the Trans Pride Flag. “Dear brothers, sisters and siblings,” he wrote in the caption. “Fear not, be strong and don’t let the bastards grind you down. love you.”

On June 24, he posted a photo of the Progress Pride flag, wishing followers a happy Pride. “Much love to all,” Imperioli wrote. “Stay strong, be fearless, be proud. and make sure to register to VOTE so we can get the bigots out of office!”

He has also recently posted about the work of out artists and creators like poet and novelist Ocean Vuong and trans singer-songwriter Anohni.

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