Michelle Shocked, a folksinger-songwriter who was once known for her progressive views, offended fans during a March 17 concert in San Francisco with a series of anti-gay slurs that have caused many venues to cancel upcoming shows with the artist.
"I live in fear that the world will be destroyed if gays are allowed to marry," the Texas-born musician said on stage.
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The proclamation occurred at the San Francisco Japanese-themed jazz club "Yoshi's," which touted Shocked as "the most sophisticated hillbilly you ever met."
A concertgoer told the local news site SFist.com that the 51-year-old musician said "You can go on Twitter and say ‘
Michelle Shocked says God hates f**s.'"
Some audience members reportedly walked out of Yoshi's after Shocked's anti-gay remarks, the SFist.com reported, but it was venues where she had upcoming performances that really back away from the singer.
At least two of her upcoming shows in California have been canceled, E! News reported, and
Shocked's Seattle show has also been removed from her touring schedule.
Other venues – including a Boulder, Colo. concert hall – followed suit.
"PLEASE NOTE - In light of recent developments, eTown must cancel the upcoming concert with Michelle Shocked," the venue posted on its Facebook page. "From the very beginning, our goal as an organization has been to foster a spirit of community and inclusiveness in all that we do . . . We are deeply saddened by today's news, and are pulling the plug on this event."
The Evanston, Ill. nightclub SPACE, wrote a similar message on its Facebook page.
"Many of you have reached out already following an ugly rant given by Michelle Shocked at her show in San Francisco last night. After speaking with the promoter of that show about the nature of the remarks, it's clear that this is no longer a show we're willing to put our name on. The May 5th performance at SPACE has been cancelled," the post said.
Born Karen Johnston to a Mormon mother in Dallas, Texas, Shocked reportedly became a born-again Christian recently. For years, however, the skateboarding alternative folk artist was known for supporting progressive causes.
In December 2011, Shocked was arrested during an Occupy L.A. protest and has in the past described herself as "a radical skateboard punk-rock anarchist," SFist.com reported.
Shocked has remained ambiguous about her own sexuality, asking fans not to brand her as gay, straight, or bisexual, which she said were oppressive sexual stereotypes, the Los Angeles Times reported.
The artist's representatives haven't commented on the controversy.
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