Washington In a recent interview with GQ magazine, the star of A&E's hit Duck Dynasty called homosexuality a sin, and equated it with promiscuity and bestiality.
In the remarks, for the magazine's January 2014 issue, 'Duck Dynasty's' Phil Robertson says sin "Start[s] with homosexual behavior and just morph[s] out from there. Bestiality, sleeping around with this woman and that woman and that woman and those men."
On Dec, 18, A&E Network said Robertson was suspended and placed on indefinite hiatus, according to MSN.com
Robertson also said that "the homosexual offenders" will not inherit the kingdom of God. Robertson also offers, in crude and explicit language, why he finds women more appealing than men.
Human Rights Campaign president Chad Griffin shared the following statement in response:
"Phil Robertson's remarks are not consistent with the values of our faith communities or the scientific findings of leading medical organizations. We know that being gay is not a choice someone makes, and that to suggest otherwise can be incredibly harmful. We also know that Americans of faith follow the Golden Rule treating others with the respect and dignity you'd wish to be treated with. As a role model on a show that attracts millions of viewers, Phil Robertson has a responsibility to set a positive example for young Americans not shame and ridicule them because of who they are.
"The actions of Phil Robertson unquestionably reflect on A&E. The network should take immediate action to condemn Phil Robertson's remarks and make clear they don't support his views.
"2013 has been a year of tremendous progress for equality across the entire country. We've seen straight Americans stand up for their LGBT friends and loved ones like never before showing their support for marriage equality in communities across the country, lobbying their lawmakers for equal workplace protections for their LGBT neighbors, and standing shoulder-to-shoulder with us against hate crimes targeting people just for who they loved. I hope young people hurt by Phil Robertson's comments remember these victories rather than his callous words. This is a reminder that our work of changing hearts and minds is far from complete."
GLAAD issued a statement condemning the remarks as "littered with outdated stereotypes and blatant misinformation."
The Los Angeles Times reported that Robertson claims he "never" saw Black people mistreated during the pre-civil rights era in his home state and said this: "Where we lived was all farmers. The blacks worked for the farmers. I hoed cotton with them. I'm with the blacks, because we're white trash. They're singing and happy. I never heard one of them, one black person, say, 'I tell you what: These doggone white people'not a word! ... Pre-entitlement, pre-welfare, you say: Were they happy? They were godly; they were happy; no one was singing the blues."
A&E Network released this statement from Robertson to Huffington Post: "I myself am a product of the 60s; I centered my life around sex, drugs and rock and roll until I hit rock bottom and accepted Jesus as my Savior. My mission today is to go forth and tell people about why I follow Christ and also what the bible teaches, and part of that teaching is that women and men are meant to be together. However, I would never treat anyone with disrespect just because they are different from me. We are all created by the Almighty and like Him, I love all of humanity. We would all be better off if we loved God and loved each other."
A&E later announced the suspension, saying are "extremely disappointed" in Robertson's comments, "which are based on his own personal beliefs and are not reflected in the series."
UPDATE 12-19-2013: Log Cabin Republicans has suggested mediating this dispute with a "Moonshine Summit".
"Let's put an end to all of the fussing and feuding and talk about this like adults," LCR Executive Director Gregory T. Angelo stated. "Phil, you have your views and we have ours, but I think you'd be surprised how much we all have in common, and there's no better gay folk out there to make that case than Log Cabin Republicans. We're conservative, we're guided by our faith, and we believe in freedom of speech. Most important, we are all children of God; that's the most important thing we have in common. So in the spirit of the season, let's get together your family and ours raise a glass, and work this out."