Rufus Wainwright's Remarks On Gay Marriage Whip Up Controversy

Rufus Wainwright wants to make something clear—he's not against gay marriage.

Still, he has been portrayed as being against gay marriage—especially by the online media—after a recent interview with New York Press. When asked by the newspaper how he felt about the passage of Prop 8, Rufus mused, "Oddly enough, I'm actually not a huge gay marriage supporter."

That said, he went on to tell the newspaper that he didn't think the government had any right to tell people whom they could or couldn't marry. More specifically, Rufus said, "I personally don't want to get married, but I think that any law or amendment to the constitution that deals with sex and love should just be banned in general. I don't think any government should encroach on what goes on in the bedroom at all. Frankly, if you want to marry a dog, why don't you go ahead and marry a dog, I don't care. I'm a complete libertarian, and so I really disagree with it."

If anything, Rufus, who has long fought for equal rights and actually took part in the Human Right Campaign's Rock To Win concert at the Democratic National Convention this past summer, is probably guilty of not expressing himself to the best of his ability. If he had been thinking about how the remark might be perceived, he probably wouldn't have said, "Oddly enough, I'm not a huge gay marriage supporter."

Anyway, Rufus felt the heat this week when a number of Internet sites picked up the story, taking his quote out of context and blaring the headline "I'm not a huge gay marriage supporter."

So the singer posted a note on his blog today clarifying his thoughts, writing, "…to set the record straight (or shall we say gay?), I am not nor have I ever been opposed to anyone's right to marry—straight or gay. I myself just don't want to at the moment and feel a strong tie to the traditional bohemian concept of being a homosexual, ie: the last thing we want is to be like everybody else. But who knows, a girl likes options. Maybe someday I will want to marry! Plus in terms of practical issues such as citizenship, taxes, inheritance, etc…it is appalling that LGBT couples don't have the same rights and options that other people have, and compared with Europe and Canada, the US should be ashamed of how they treat love. I have voiced my strong opposition to Prop 8 on many occasions and will continue to do so until that referendum is reversed. OK? I've got to get back to work now."

OK, Rufus.

So what do you make of the brouhaha? Was all the fuss understandable, and should celebrities like Rufus be more careful when they speak about hot-button issues?

(Image courtesy of Getty)

Comments

[Arthur Graves]

Each there own

[DisplacedJustis]

Nah, I think the media should be more accurate in what they report. I read that statement and saw what he meant immediately. He meant exactly what he said - he isn't a huge supporter. He doesn't go out and do rallies and create a big stink. That was it. The media sites (and magazines, newspapers, and tv media) need to be accurate in what they report, and how they report it. Be honest, tell the whole story, as far as they can - both (or all) sides should be reported, to allow people to form their opinions based on a full accounting of what is being presented to them.

The biggest perpetrator of showing only one side of a story (and a very narrowly limited one too!) is Michael Moore.

Also, people in general need to stop being so gullible :P

[Vance]

There's something to be said about not being for bad marriages. Marriages that are used to extort money or alimony payments or child support from a spouse is something of a mistake that a lot of gay children have had to live with and it makes sense that there would need to be reform in marriage in general - first off, name changes - who in the world thinks it's okay to keep a name that doesn't fit anymore?

[OBX Neil]

I'm never going to be concerned with what an entertainer thinks. A nobel prize winner, legislator, political executive, anyone who makes a real difference and holds sway: that's who'll I'll pay attention to. Who cares what Rufus thinks? Really, who cares?

[Brad]

Personally I could care less who thinks what about homosexuality, same sex marriage whether you're a nobel winner or a bad B movie actor. I am me and if you don't agree then ... blah blah blah. Having said that - I feel once again the media has added their own BS to a story for the sake of dramatizing it for the ratings.

[RW]

This is typical of gays. Heaven forbid anyone disagree with anything with the liberal gays. I'm gay and have no interest in marriage. It is so typical for people to take what someone says completely out of context and make it fit what they want it to say so they can bitch. It is no wonder people do not understand homosexuals. We make them hate us. Can't wait to see the comments to this post because no one can have an opinion but you.

[Aaron]

I guess I always get fed up with how we fight so hard to be accepted and whatever, but when one of us voices an opinion that we don't like (or take way out of context) we go into an uproar. It's like "you can think whatever you want to, as long as you think what I think too...it's what all the gays think and you're gay so you have to think it."

I don't think most of the gay "voices" represent real gay people at all. It's all Hollywood glitz and stupidity. I mean look at Perez Hilton who is a complete waste of homosexuality. Utter trash, that one.

So Rufus doesn't want to get married. Who freakin' cares? If he doesn't want to get married he doesn't have to get married, and he can focus on making more music.

[Eduardo Castellon]

fuck him! I'm so tired up tight fags that don't give a fuck about the cause that doesn't affect them directly. So what if he doesn't if he won't get married. So what if he has supported the cause in the past if he doesn't stand up for all gays eve if doesn't directly affect him.

[tttjjjjjjj]

What the hell is the "traditional bohemian concept of homosexuality"? I'm not from Bohemia. Just because you like counterculture doesn't mean that everyone who's ostracized has roots in your off-the-beaten-path lifestyle.

Being gay is not a lifestyle, or a tradition. It is an innate part of a person; people's lifestyles are shaped by elements like sexuality the same way their lifestyle is shaped by their ability and intelligence and other innate qualities. But there is no causal link between being homosexual and being "a Bohemian rebel" or whatever you'd like to call yourself on your myspace page.

What's more. Saying "people can marry a dog for all I care" is so stupid. So what if you aren't in the mood for a relationship this year? Conservatives are hoping for prominent homosexuals like you, Mr Wainwright, to say stupid shit just like that, to support their "slippery slope argument." This guy should be at least publicly recognizing the difference between two people marrying and a man and a dog marrying: The dog has no say. He basically said same-sex marriage, straight marriage, and doing whatsoever one pleases with a dog are all the same thing. And since conservatives aren't questioning the legitimacy of straight marriage like his highness is, all they see from his comment is "gay marriage is the same as raping a dog."

Oooh, you're so cool, being a prominent gay person but not giving a damn what you say on the record or how it's used against people. That's so not what people expect out of you, so it must be cool. You're so bohemian. Thanks for nothing, dick head. How much of his cd sales are to gays? Bite the hand that feeds you much?

[Dave]

I love him.

[Roger]

I don't care what Rufus Wainwright thinks or says. Not that I like or dislike him, I just don't care. But I would certainly support his right to his opinion about gay marriage and pretty much agree with him. I also think this is more about the media wanting to sensationalize something rather than just getting the facts out.

[Bud]

Rufus who? I've never heard of this greaseball and I really don't care what he thinks about marriage... straight or gay. This is a civil rights issue and everyone deserves the right to marry the one they love.

[Bill]

There are many of us who are proudly gay and have supported gay rights for a long time who continue to believe that "marriage" per se is the wrong issue to be putting on ballots. I am far more interested in securing a status that guarantees the same set of legal rights whether we are partnered or single. If we talked about gay "partnerships" and left the word marriage behind, two thirds of the opposition would vanish.

[Lorraine]

Rufus has spoken out in support of same sex marriage for several months now, ever since the original lifting of the ban in California. I was at his Florida shows in November, just after the Prop 8 vote, and his anger and disappointment were obvious. He even changed the words of his song, Going To a Town, to reflect his feelings about the votes in California and Florida.

He again stated his support for gay marriage but stressed that he peronally did not want to get married at this stage (despite being in a committed relationship for more than 3 years, with his partner, Jorn.

The comment about marrying a dog was perhaps a bit insensitive, given the religious right's arguments, but his outspoken support for the issue cannot be doubted.

So this is not a retraction, just a clarification of his position, made necessary by the publicity given to a single quote taken out of context, probably deliberately by certain bloggers.

[Erich]

It is disappointing that someone like him, who I know little about but apparently is an entertainer and does not live in a cave and is literate, does not understand the legal ramifications of civil marriage.

He states: "I think that any law or amendment to the constitution that deals with sex and love should just be banned in general."

Civil marriage does not allow or deny sex and love. It does provide a legal framework for a family unit to support each other.

Too many gay people confuse religious ceremonies with civil marriage, and that is a serious problem.

[remy]

I think the more offensive comment is "if a man wants to marry a dog then he should have the right to" (loosely qouted) thats a very hetero comparison to gay marrige. 2 men and/or 2 woman getting married IS NOT the same as a man or woman marrying a dog. and homosexuality IS NOT the same as beastiality. then again, why are we concernd with the comments of a man named rufus?

[Amman]

I love, love love what Aaron wrote. So true. Plus seriously, we REALLY need to stop trying to be so heteronormative. Seriously, if the marriage goes without rights, then it is just a piece of paper?

I think what should be done is upping the battle for gay rights. Again, like what Boy George said, I look at gay rights now and find that we are more and more losing our individuality. Let's face it guys, corporations NEED Will & Grace and Kojo and Perez clones (to market their products to yet another market niche)...

[Hector]

Who the hell is Rufus

[irritated by celebrity opinions and the media who takes up news space reporting them]

Who cares what Rufus Wainright thinks? He's a musician. I think that the opinions of entertainers are given far too much weight.

[irritated by celebrity opinions and the media who takes up news space reporting them]

...and just to clarify. If Rufus wants to offer an opinion on music, I'll be more open to listening.

[Vincenzo from NYC]

Right on Rufus! About time someone said we have gotten to str8. And the government DOES NOT belong in ANYONE'S bedroom, gay or str8.

[Joey]

The old idea of homosexuality is that of a Bohemian? Was Harvey Milk a 'bohemian' or just a highly intelligent sweet, passionate man who didn't posture, pose or invest in being 'cool'? I'm sick of gay artists who's view of the community doesn't extend past doing blow in the bathroom of an East Village gay bar with other 'bohemian' gays who are a tiny minority in a global movement.

[Tommy]

I agree with him 100% instead of pushing for Gay Marriage, we should be fighting str8 marriage. How does the government have the right to sanction relationships?

LUNACY!

Marriage should be defined by the persons entering it...not by a piece of paper in a city hall. THEN and only then will we be truly free to lead of lives as we please. Those who look to the government to solve the ills of society will be surely dissapointed.

[Jason P.]

God Forbid that someone disagree with the liberal gay's on any issue! After all, it IS a crime to be Gay and have your OWN views right?! LOL

[Me]

Why is it when a straight person compares gay marriage to people marrying dogs, it's not big deal? Gay people are always cast in a bad light. I never see the worst trailer trash straight people on welfare having to stand up for the right to marry. Half of straight marriages end in divorce. If it's really about the children, it seems like straight people are doing quite a bit of damage on their own to the marriage institution. Since when is everyone so rigid about what the bible says? So women stay home and no one works on Sunday. It seems like straight society is cherry picking the rules they find most convenient. Nothing like being a minority under the whims of majority rules.

[tj]

just wanted to say this we are all human ,and who we want to marry is our rights now men and men or woman and man ,what ever the case is it is up to us ,and make all marriages open and every one need to chill out ,get it got it good.

[Brady]

Really he should have just said "I'm not a big supporter of marriage." I think he was a little too specific, which led to the outrage and hypocrisy of his statement. The real thing that annoys me is that he is a more "bohemian homosexual"...... I just want this man dead for saying that.... -_-'

[gidderguy]

Um...who is this guy? Oddly enough, I don't know him.

[The Devil of the Contra Code]

I had no idea Rufus was a chick.

[oldkingtroll]

Once again, the media take something and sensationalize it. Anyone who interacts with the media has to learn -- very quickly -- that they will be misquoted. It is not a question of IF, it is a question of WHEN. Keep your answers to any reporter short, to the point, and unmistakable. Otherwise, prepare to be misquoted and be at the center of much ado about nothing.

[tttjjjjjj]

"Why is it when a straight person compares gay marriage to people marrying dogs, it's not big deal?"

i totally understand ur frustration on that point. making the comparison between homosexuality and bestiality shows that the person hasnt seriously thought about the issue at all.

he should be held to a higher standard for 2 reasons:

1.) he's gay so he has had to think about how his sexual feelings are different from others'. straight people don't have to worry about that, so if they say "bestiality and homosexuality are the same" then it just shows they didn't think about what they're saying. but he talks about his homosexuality as if it's a personal choice made to support his "vie boheme" lifestyle, which flies in the face of the strives the LGBT community has made against that kind of ignorant misunderstanding.

2.) he's a prominent gay celebrity, therefore he is being asked his opinion on the issue by the media. the fact that he's being asked these questions and doesn't think seriously enough about the issue to differentiate between homosexuality and bestiality just shows that he doesnt care about gays' rights. his "i'm too cool to let an old fashioned thing like marriage hold my bohemian spirit down" attitude is more important to him.

these of course are just my opinions. and he is certainly within his right to say whatever he damn well pleases on this issue. if his opinion is that its more important to be a hedonist than to be part of the GLBT community, then that's fine. its just disappointing that he is given a platform to preach his view and identified as a prominent member of the GLBT community and chooses to ignore that.

[GXMan-DC]

So he is not specifically against gay marriage but does not want to get married, and people are upset with him? Come on gurls. I'm so tired of the "all or nothing" attitude of our community. God forbid a gay not agree with the current HRC agenda.

[bob]

who the hell is rufus wainwright and who cares what he says?

[Brian]

It's great to state your opinion, whether it's heartfelt or just another attempt at garnering publicity. It's quite another issue to give the majority another means to marginalize the LGBT community. As a "celebrity" surely he has to have some shred of common sense in knowing his words carry weight and resonate a lot farther than everyone else's.

My opinion is, it's great to have your own opinion and not choose to do something. Just try your best not to damage your community's efforts at improving opportunities for everyone else. An "all or nothing" approach? I sure as hell would like to know that I am 100% considered a human being by the country I live in and want all the rights everyone else takes for granted. Thanks.

[SilverLakeSink]

""his opinion is that its more important to be a hedonist than to be part of the GLBT community""

HOLLAH!

Ugh, all that hipster talk is just embarrassing. He's living in some La Boheme movie in his head and totally out of touch with this moment in history.

Alot of White's didn't want to marry Blacks in the 60's but they still knew it was an important issue even if it didn't affect them personally.

Most musician's are narcissists - we shouldn't ever expect them to think of the larger picture or of other's struggles. We can't expect gay celebrities to stand up and be a thoughtful men instead of an impetuous boy.

[SilverLakeSink]

>

Exactly. Boy George, who is going to prison for handcuffing a hustler to the wall and torturing him. There's some INDIVIDUALITY for ya!

So sad that most of our openly gay celebs are so self-hating. Why don't we all stop being so avante guard and start being human? Human Beings need intimacy, healthy relationships. All over the world, this is the human condition. All over the world people are with their committed wife, husband, family. All over the world, human being seek spiritual enlightment. Why do gay people think they are the only group in the world who do not need love/marriage/belief?

We deny ourselves these basics, love, intimacy, spirituality because we have convinced ourselves that our marginality is 'special'. The result is Boy George, hedonism, self-hate. We are not special. We are human first. Being a fully realized human being is what is means to be special. It takes alot more balls to committ to a relationship than hooking up at bar your whole life. I think the people who get married have alot of courage. It's a noble effort to love and not run when it gets hard. It's a noble effort to stop being Peter Pan - to grow up.

[Thesp 467]

So what, he is entitiled to his opinion, so what, he made a stupid comment about marrying dogs, he also made it very clear that he did NOT support prop 8. I for one was interested to hear what he said just like I was interested to hear what each and everyone of you had to say...yes you too SilverLakeSink, I even thought you made some good points in a judgemental, generalizing sort of way. Btw Not all musicians are narcisscists. We don't have to work in the service of others to care about others. Originally coming from the medical field and the military I know plenty of Doctors and Nurses that care more about the paycheck than the patient. I knew alot of guys that joined the military to get away from something or to pay for college...not because they wanted to serve their country. So don't prejudge people by their profession it's not fair... I really liked your comments about denying ourselves love, spirituality and intimacy it's very true!

[Thesp467]

Ohh I wonder what you think about photographers, Steve.. I mean Silverlakesink

[Woofda9]

When did we stop allowing people to say what they want and choose? Instead of ranting here, write a letter to your congressperson, your governor, call your representative. The dude is a musician, he has supported many glbt causes in the past. I frankly refuse to be conformist to ANY group or movement, including domestic partnerships.
How many who don't like what he said have his albums?
Opinions are like anus'-everyone has one, it's just that some are bigger than others.

"Dissent is the highest form of patriotism."

"It is not hatred that kills people, it is indifference."

I have listened to Rufus and am old enough to have been a fan of his dad. The gay propagandists need to stop looking for their next victim to BLAME and promote the positive aspects of this struggle.

Our anger and bitter polarity will only work against us.