Singing superstar Stevie Wonder has apologized for comments made in a wide ranging interview with the UK’s Guardian newspaper in which he stated that he thought gays were confused.
The controversial comments were in response to a question about his views over rapper Frank Ocean’s courageous and moving coming out on his online Tumblr blog.
“I think honestly, some people who think they’re gay, they’re confused. People can misconstrue closeness for love. People can feel connected, they bond. I’m not saying all [gay people are confused]. Some people have a desire to be with the same sex. But that’s them.” Wonder said, which has caused much consternation the media and anger especially from numerous gay media sites and equality activists.
The letter from Ocean that he published back in July on his Tumblr blog didn’t seem very confused to me, romantic and beautiful yet, confused, err nope!
“4 summers ago, I met somebody. I was 19 years old. He was too. We spent that summer, and the summer after, together. Everyday almost. And on the days we were together, time would glide. Most of the day I’d see him, and his smile. I’d hear his conversation and his silence…until it was time to sleep. Sleep I would often share with him. By the time I realized I was in love, it was malignant. It was hopeless. There was no escaping, no negotiating with the feeling. No choice. It was my first love, it changed my life.”
Wonder issued a sincere apology to anyone who misunderstood his words, “I’m sorry that my words about anyone feeling confused about their love were misunderstood. No one has been a greater advocate for the power of love in this world than I; both in my life and in my music.
“Clearly, love is love, between a man and a woman, a woman and a man, a woman and a woman and a man and a man. What I’m not confused about is the world needing much more love, no hate, no prejudice, no bigotry and more unity, peace and understanding. Period.”
You fall in love with a person, not a sexuality.
