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Blake Shelton Under Fire for Gay Jokes on Twitter

Blake SheltonJoseph Llanes for AOL

PETA now has an ally in its war against Blake Shelton and his tweets. It seems GLAAD (Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) is angry at the country superstar for a Twitter post on which he rewrote a Shania Twain lyric (from 'Any Man of Mine') into what the organization deems is a "violent, anti-gay statement." The controversy all started with this tweet from the singer, who's one of four coaches on NBC's runaway hit, 'The Voice':

"Re-writing my fav Shania Twain song ... Any man that tries Touching my behind He's gonna be a beaten, bleedin', heaving kind of guy ... "

Blake has been rewriting a lot of country songs lately via Twitter ... but none has gotten even a fraction of the response this one did, as the singer was soon flooded with people questioning whether he's homophobic.

GLAAD (@glaad) tweeted, "No, @BlakeShelton - violent, anti-gay statements are not what a woman wants. Apologize now. #LGBT #gay #thevoice @NBCTheVoice"

At first, Blake didn't let the controversy get to him, tweeting, "Ba! Ha! Reading all my anti-gay hate tweets ... Ha! Ha! If people only knew even a little about me, my family and friends. Dumb asses ..."

But then he tried to rationalize, insisting his rewritten lyrics were "meant to be from a girls point of view ... Thus, 'Shania Twain'"

Those tweets followed with several apologies and clarifications from the Oklahoma native:

"Hey y'all allow me to seriously apologize for the misunderstanding with the whole re-write on the Shania song last night."

"It honestly wasn't even meant that way."

"When it comes to gay/lesbian rights or just feelings ... I love everybody. So go look for a real villain and leave me out of it!!!"

"@glaad - hey I want my fans and @nbcthevoice fans to know that anti-gay and lesbian violence is unacceptable!!!!! Help me!!!! And DM me..."

Blake's bosses at 'The Voice' are standing by him -- and with a sense of humor -- tweeting, "@glaad listen to us #thevoice when we tell you that Blake is all about love, laughter, music, @AdamLevine and no hate."

This isn't the first time Blake has come under fire with the gay community. Just after fellow country star Chely Wright announced she was a lesbian, he tweeted, "Sooo..... Chely Wright just came out. Guess this opens the door... I Blake Shelton am a lesbian."

That, too, prompted a sea of angry responses, but Blake insists he was just admiring the brunette beauty. "Haters.. When I say someone is HOT it's actually a complement... Get it?" he tweeted. "I don't care if Chely Wright is gay. I think she's hot!!!"

And then there's PETA ... Blake has clashed with the animal rights organization for years, and often pokes fun of it via Twitter. Example: PETA once tweeted, "Animal testing breaks hearts," to which Blake responded, "Yeah, and bow hunting breaks their lungs!"

The avid hunter was eventually blocked from receiving PETA's tweets after a long war of words.

As for this current controversy, do we think the big guy is sweating? Probably not. "It's puzzled me why country artists have to be so politically correct," Blake once told Nashville's Tennessean newspaper. "I mean, I'm not a politician ... I'm just more open lately, and it's amazing the reaction to that. People either love me or hate me, but it's the first time they are noticing which is awesome for me."

Blake will take time off from 'The Voice' and from the road this month, as he's set to marry Grammy-winning songbird Miranda Lambert on May 14.

Watch Blake Shelton at Sessions.


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paul

I don't find that to be homophobic at all. As a gay man, any man that touches my butt (in invited) will have his arm tore off and be beaten by it. It's called personal space. As far as his PETA remark... it's called sarcasm. It was in very bad taste that is for sure... and I'm not in favor or animal testing, But Shelton (of whom I'm not a fan of) is just not thinking of what he is writing before he puts them up on the web for the world to read. Think before you Tweet.

June 28 2011 at 8:09 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
MusicalArtiste04

Blake Shelton IS a C-R-A-C-K-E-R! His HOMOPHOBIA runs rampant; because he IS scared to show ANY of his personal side. I PRAY he is not gay. That would be an insult to American GLBT's. Once a "CRACKA" always a "CRACKA"! Shut up Blake - "Blake" sounds like a FEM name - and do your job. Stupid Cracka!

May 11 2011 at 10:16 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
notjeff

Man, He feels like a woman.

May 08 2011 at 11:34 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
doug

Blake Shelton has the right to say what he feels just like I have the right as a gay man to think hes one of the greatest country singers today and I would never let how he thinks change the way i feel about his music. And anyway a touch of his ass might just be worth the beatdown...lol..............Keep putting out your great music Blake...

May 08 2011 at 8:45 PM Report abuse -1 rate up rate down Reply
sinfoomein

Really! How stupid are we as "people" that we have nothing else do do with our life than to complain about a tweet. OMG people! Li ves are being disrupted with floods, tornado's & earthquakes! Why not be productive about something that matters! Yes, gay bashing is very important, but were talking about a tweet. Shelton din't say anything about gay folks. Gee it must be nice to be able to pick & choose the "words" we want to take offense at. Grow up! All people can find offense in innocent words if they choice too, but lets get real. Pick your battles, not a tweet. If you don't like what he says "don't read his tweets"!!

May 08 2011 at 6:47 PM Report abuse -1 rate up rate down Reply
Dian61

WHY THE HELL ARE PEOPLE SO THIN SKINNED. WHAT, YALL WANT TO PUT BLAKE ACROSS YOUR KNEES AND WHIP HIS BUTT CHRIST ALMIGHTY, CAN'T PEOPLE MAKE A JOKE WITHOUT ANYONE TAKING IT PERSONAL. TO HELL WITH ALL WHO ARE PISSED WHO THE HELL CARES!!!

May 08 2011 at 5:37 PM Report abuse -1 rate up rate down Reply
Stephanie

I love Blake. lol People need to friggin lighten up and get a clue. He was just having some fun and making a joke. OMG, heaven forbid should anyone in this day and time have a sense of humor. Give me a break. Ppl just want to jump on a wagon, any wagon, to get their 5 minutes in the spot light. Why is it ok when black ppl use the "N" word but if I was to post that word on here I would be blocked? I have several gay/lesbian friends that don't take offence at a good joke or Blake for that matter. Get a life ppl. Get off this man's cloud. But hey, thanks for putting him in the spot light. Maybe it will help him sell more music and better ratings for his new show. True Blake fans will see this for exactly what it is...............drama, drama, drama.

May 08 2011 at 4:56 PM Report abuse -1 rate up rate down Reply
Denizio

I don't see that he did anything wrong. Anybody who is marrying Miranda Lambert can't be all bad.

May 08 2011 at 4:03 PM Report abuse -1 rate up rate down Reply
LDG

The remark about Chely Wright I totaly get he thinks she is hot so if she likes women then thats what he would be a joke get it?? The other stuff I think he just went for a jokee and it bombed he isn't the first one to tell a joke that people don't know how to take.

May 08 2011 at 3:49 PM Report abuse -1 rate up rate down Reply
antonio

Personally, Controversity has been the element of the times for the past 40 years. Everyone wants to pick at this and that. Everyone says do not get mad at this and that, then when it is their turn and it is a different story that they cannot take their own advice. Everyone should take in consideration of other people's feelings and place yourself in their shoes and would you react the same way. Many people in our society has the right to be sensative because the cruelity that occurred to him or her. Other people have not experience any tragedy in their lives as of yet. Today, world was suppose to be better than the past but the issues we face are different and difficult. Everyone should compromise not to the point of kissing eachother's brass. Just be able to meet in the middle and respect eachother properly.

Blake is the only one that knows how he meant it and no one can back up or deny Blake his true feelings because no one is Blake. Blake is the only one who knows the truth and no one can defend or say he is lying about how he said it. All each side has is his word and truth and Blake betrays everyone than it is his lost in the long run. I would not worry about it. Blake is responsible for Blake and everyone is responsible for themselves. Therefore, Blake has the right to the freedom of speech as long it does not inflicts physical abuse upon another.

Another secret, Blake is making a pattern for himself by making comments at inappropriate times during critical moments that pulls attention towards him. Soon Blake will be confronted by his attention-seeking behavior to determine if there is an underline psychological impairment occurring.

May 08 2011 at 3:31 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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