Amy Grant announcing that she’s hosting a same-sex wedding for her niece hasupset conservative pastor Franklin Graham.
The contemporary Christian singer-songwriter, 62, shared the family news in aninterview with the Washington Post last month, ahead of her receiving theKennedy Center Honors. The article noted how, in recent years, the “Breath ofHeaven” songstress had voiced support for the LGBTQ community, through whichshe has a big fanbase. Also, she and her country music star husband, VinceGill, are planning to host their niece’s wedding on their family farm. Grantsaid it was her family’s “first bride and bride” nuptials.
Grant told the outlet that her reaction to her niece coming out was that itwas “a gift” to the family. “Honestly, from a faith perspective, I do alwayssay, ‘Jesus, you just narrowed it down to two things: love God and love eachother,'” she said. “I mean, hey — that’s pretty simple.”
Graham — the outspoken head of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association,founded by his late father — has publicly criticized the six-time Grammywinner over the news. He wrote on social media, “God defines what is sin [inthe bible], not us; and His Word is clear that homosexuality is sin.”
Graham is known for being against same-sex marriage, comparing it to “polygamyor incest.” He also opposed a bill banning anti-gay conversion therapy in2017, calling homosexuality an “abomination.”
While the post was on Graham’s social media pages, the “Baby, Baby” singerreceived a lot of support in the comments. Some included, “Thank you Amy, foryour courage and love for all of God’s people — I know it comes at a cost,”wrote one person. Another called Grant “a wonderful example of Christianwitness for decades. So many of her songs have helped me through tough times.I’m so sorry that all you can do is judge and condemn. You’ve got the wholegospel wrong. Very sorry.” Anotherwrote“Oh, youdid NOT just go after Amy Grant! How DARE you criticize someone for showinglove? She is an amazing woman who has shown more grace and charity than youever have. You don’t get to judge her or anyone else .I believe that is madeperfectly clear in your Bible.”
Story continues
A rep for Grant didn’t respond to Yahoo’s request for comment about Franklin’scriticism.
Amy Grant with husband Vince Gill at the reception for Kennedy Centerhonorees. (Photo: REUTERS/Sarah Silbiger)
The Kennedy Center Honors will be broadcast Dec. 28 at 8 pm on CBS. SingerBrandi Carlile, who helped honor Grant at the event, told Entertainmenttonight about the support Grant has given her through the years, especiallyafter she came out in 2002.
Grant’s music “was this really big part of my childhood. I always saw Amy andknew Amy as a faith-based singer, as a Christian singer specifically,” six-time Grammy winner Carlile said. “Coming out of the closet, Amy was one of thefirst people to reach out to me, invite me on her television show in my earlytwenties. And then just recently, you know, on social media has been reallysupportive of me and other queer artists specifically. I know she’s takingsome heat for it. I know it hasn’t been easy, and I admire her so much forthat.” Carlile added that what Grant has done for her “personally andpublicly, as a queer person, [has] been really big and important in mygrowth.”
Grant attended the event with Gill, marking her first red carpet appearancesince she suffered a head injury in a bike accident this summer. In July, shehit a hit a pothole while bicycling in Nashville and was thrown from the bike.Grant, who had on a helmet, sustained cuts and bruises as well as a concussionafter being knocked unconscious for about 10 minutes. She was brieflyhospitalized.