GLAAD Responds: Kim Burrell’s Apology for Anti-LGBTQ Comments

GLAAD, the world’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) media advocacy organization, is responding to Kim Burrell’s apology to the LGBTQ community following years of harmful anti-LGBTQ rhetoric during her Aretha Franklin Icon Award acceptance speech at the 39th annual Stellar Awards. 

On gospel music’s biggest night, Burell took the unprecedented step in front of her industry peers and the world to acknowledge how her influence has reached beyond the walls of the church to permeate culture, often to the detriment of LGBTQ people, specifically Black LGBTQ people and those who still desire to remain connected to their faith communities. Burrell stood on the Stellar Awards stage and apologized for her harmful words and their impact on LGBTQ people:

Transcript of apology delivered by Kim Burrell on stage at The Stellar Awards:

“Being different comes with controversy, and fortunately, it comes with community. I’d just like to leave you with these thoughts— I have, over the course of time and with much soul-searching, come to fully understand the reach and impact of my voice beyond Gospel music. There is such a care to take when you realize you’re not just preaching to the choir anymore. You’re preaching to the ones who wanted to be in the choir and were too scared to come because they didn’t understand our language. Musicians [have] the God-given ability to unite and to heal and to understand that some of my past words, comments, preaching have been received by the LGBTQ+ community as negative and hurtful. There’s nothing more hurtful than to think—to imagine—that you’ve said something in the name of God, and it hurt somebody.

You know, we have a church lingo. We have a church jargon that everybody doesn’t get. And sometimes you have to say it for the people in the back. And for that, I want to apologize to the LGBTQ community. Let’s give them a great big round of applause. We want them to have strength and to sincerely know that we must all do the work to embrace all of what God’s people—and show forth his love to everyone. Amen. Tonight, I hope this award and this moment can be the beginning of bridge-building and listening to each other as we follow peace with all men and develop the character of God, which requires seeing God.” 

Kim Burrell’s Aretha Franklin Icon Award acceptance speech 

Before the ceremony, GLAAD and Houston-based LGBTQ, HIV and faith leaders addressed Burrell’s record with her, her team, and Don Jackson, CEO of the Stellar Awards, to urge public recognition of the harms, and action for next steps to be a bridge-builder instead of an agent of division contributing to the further marginalization of Black LGBTQ people. 

Statement from GLAAD Director of Local News: US South Darian Aaron: 

“Burrell’s apology is but a first step toward full accountability and healing from a record of harmful, inaccurate rhetoric, and her appearance at the Stellar Awards shows the work still to be done. Black LGBTQ people who remain in traditional faith communities are very familiar with the anti-LGBTQ rhetoric Burrell and others have espoused throughout her career. We are well-versed in the “lingo and jargon” of Black church culture and a gospel music industry that benefits from our gifts but demands us to be silent about our truth, which is in alignment with the presence of God in our lives. 

From the pulpit to the pews—Black LGBTQ people are integral to the Black church and gospel music experience. Burrell’s speech is evidence of a tipping point where Burrell, the Black church, and the gospel music industry can recognize and accept us all as people of faith and as worthy of Black liberation as anyone else. The gospel industry and all who produce, enjoy, and celebrate it must see Burrell’s first step as an opportunity to embrace inclusion over exclusion to benefit all in the community who demand safety, justice, and freedom.”

The 39th annual Stellar Awards will air on Saturday, August 3, 2024, at 8 PM and 10 PM EST on the Stellar Network and BET on Sunday, August 4, 2024, at 8 PM ET/PT.

You can learn more about Kim Burrell’s history of anti-LGBTQ statements through the GLAAD Accountability Project here.