David Archuleta, an American Idol contestant from the show’s seventh season, is apologizing for a tweet he sent that may have been perceived as anti-gay. Some took his message to indicate his support for Indiana’s homophobic Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
Archuleta, who is a Mormon, and recently completed a two-year mission to Chile, shared a quote from Mormon church leader Boyd K. Packer.
“Romantic love is incomplete. It is a prelude. Love is nourished by the coming of children, who spring from the fountain of love…expressed between a man and a woman in marriage. #PresPacker,” the message read.
David Archuleta has since removed the message from his Twitter account. His apology was tweeted out on Monday.
I apologize if I have offended anyone with the quote I sent out Saturday. I guess I didn’t think about the line "… http://t.co/1WdOd91LBF
— David Archuleta (@DavidArchie) April 6, 2015
“I apologize if I have offended anyone with the quote I sent out Saturday,” David Archuleta wrote. “I guess I didn’t think about the line ‘expressed between a man and a woman in marriage’ being stressed when the whole quote didn’t fit in just 1 tweet. I am sorry my intentions were misunderstood, as my main focus was that too often romance is looked at as the end-all when there is so much more. The bonds that can be there within a family and raising kids, as that is the most valuable thing I have: my family. I do hope however, that whoever may have been offended may know I respect everyone’s freedom to believe and live as they choose. I hope others can respect what I value most in my life as well. Again, I’m sorry and please forgive me if I offended you. David.”
Mormons don’t believe in gay relationships or gay marriage. They have recently started allowing gays and lesbians to attend Brigham Young University, but they must remain chaste.
It is refreshing to see David Archuleta–since he is a Mormon–recognize that his statement might have been offensive, and to apologize for how it may have been perceived. And while he’s not actually showing support for gays and lesbians, he isn’t blatantly bashing them either.
It’s a step–right?
