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The disco diva queen who with out a doubt ruled the 70′s disco craze, has passed away from lung cancer at 63. Her songs really are legends of that era. I was a very young buck at the time when she took over the scene but i had every record, i could not get enough. My favorite i must say and believe me it is hard to choose is between Heaven Knows and On the Radio. Her duet with Babs, Enough is Enough always sent me over the edge. 

Although her songs and fan base, like so many others after her, started in the gay clubs, in the early days of AIDS, rumors about anti-gay comments she made after becoming a born again christian, at a concert tarnished her career. Now this was before the world of today; smart phones, social media and tabloid frenzy, so there is no proof that she actually made the very harsh comments. However, she has for years denied them but when you hear her apology about it she admits to a portion of it. Over at the Advocate they posted an interview from 2008 with Summer. 

During her 1983 tour, Donna allegedly — and I stress allegedly — told the crowd, “Ive seen the evil homosexuality come out of you people… AIDS is your sin. Now dont get me wrong; God loves you. But not the way you are now.” Well, all gay hell broke lose!  TheVillage Voice blasted her. Donna Summers music was banned in gay clubs.

The LGBT community was ready to dim all the lights on her career. She soon released a statement that seemed less like a denial, but more of an apology:”It is very difficult for me to believe this terrible misunderstanding continues. Since the very beginning of my career, I have had tremendous support and friendship from many in the gay community. It is a source of great concern to me that anything I may have said has cast me as homophobic. My medium of expression is music, all I can ask for is understanding as I feel my true feelings have been misrepresented. As a Christian, I have nothing but love for everyone and I recognize it is not my place to judge others. I believe with all my heart and soul that AIDS is a tragedy for all humankind. A cure must be found and all of us have to do whatever we can to help.

in 1989 she had this to say:

“I did not make that statement,” Summer says angrily. “Eight years ago, I made a reference to AIDS. What I supposedly said I did not say, and my reference to AIDS was really an innocent reference.

“At the time, I thought AIDS was a herpes pimple, like you get on your mouth. I certainly didn’t have any idea what it really was and certainly if I had, in my heart I would not wish AIDS on anyone. I’m not that kind of person. It’s one of the most horrifying diseases around. I don’t think they’re doing enough for it.

then in 2008:

“In late years, Donna would outwardly deny that she made the comments. However, there was always a cloud of, “Did she say it?” that hovered over her career. Nonetheless, she performed at countless LGBT pride events and would participate in several HIV/AIDS charities. But some wondered if Donna remained a fixture in the gay community because she had to.

I wanted to know her thoughts on LGBT rights. When I inquired about gay marriage, she answered, “I don’t really have an opinion on it, to tell you the truth. I think people have to do what they feel they have to do. Not being gay myself, I don’t have the same frame of reference—do you know what Im saying?”   “I don’t know what it is to feel like you can never be married or any of that because I am married, I have kids and I have all those things. Its uncharted ground for me personally; I can’t even make a comment on it.”

Don’t have an opinion on it? Hello people are being denied equal rights. Would she have said that about her own races experience with civil rights even if she did not experience it herself? Ok enough said, i mean i could really go on but lets just remember the great songs she belted out for generations to come…

via Lady of the Night Donna Summer and Her Roots in the LGBT Community | Advocate.com.