DeGeneres says her show is no place for anti-gay advocates

Posted January 05, 2017 6:00 am

The Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) - Pharrell appeared as scheduled on Thursday's "Ellen DeGeneres Show" without fellow singer Kim Burrell. But the gospel star, who DeGeneres had disinvited days earlier, didn't go unmentioned.

"I didn't think that it was good of me to have her on the show to give her a platform," said DeGeneres, citing the church sermon in which Burrell referred to gays and lesbians as perverted. A tape of Burrell preaching that message had circulated online.

DeGeneres, one of show business' most prominent lesbians, spoke of having suffered "a lot of hate and prejudice and discrimination because of who I choose to love." She voiced surprise that Burrell, as an African-American woman, would engage in prejudice.

"The world is a beautiful place," Pharrell agreed. "But it doesn't work without inclusion and empathy."

FILE - In this Sunday, April 20, 2008 file photo, Kim Burrell performs prior to a Mass by Pope Benedict XVI at Yankee Stadium in New York. Ahead of a performance on the talk show "Ellen" in early January 2017, gospel singer Burrell says she make "no excuses or apologies" for a sermon at a Houston church where she referred to gays and lesbians as perverted. (AP Photo/Mike Segar, Pool) The Associated Press

Article Comments

Article Categories
Content Providers Entertainment Lifestyle Television

Article Comments

Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.