The misconstrued homophobic reputation of Donna Summer
The 1980s proved to be a critical time when making controversial remarks about the AIDS epidemic was especially fraught. Many figures, such as Freddie Mercury and Princess Diana, emerged as staunch supporters in dispelling misconceptions about homosexuality and the disease. Meanwhile, others, reportedly including Donna Summer, faced allegations of contributing to unwarranted animosity.
In the 1980s, Summer’s career underwent several transitions. She began the decade with a shift in musical style, moving towards a more electronic sound that was characteristic of the era. Her album, The Wanderer, released in 1980, featured a blend of pop, rock, and dance music, marking a departure from her previous disco-centric style.
One of her most notable successes during this period was also the album She Works Hard for the Money, released in 1983. The title track became a tremendous hit and an anthem celebrating women’s empowerment. It also showcased Summer’s ability to adapt to the evolving music landscape, incorporating elements of dance, pop, and R&B.
At the same time, however, the singer’s career faced significant challenges due to reported anti-gay remarks attributed to her at a 1983 concert. However, she contested making these comments, attributing them to an angered journalist. In a 1989 interview with The Advocate, Summer expressed regret over the AIDS epidemic’s impact on her close friends.
In the feature, journalist Kevin Koffler visited the performer at her suite in a Los Angeles hotel. Ahead of their interview, Koffler reflected on the statements attributed to Summer, whose early success was greatly tied to her substantial gay fan base. Allegedly, she had made remarks such as “God created Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve” during a 1983 concert amid the onset of the AIDS crisis affecting the LGBTQ+ community. Another reported comment was: “I have seen the evils of homosexuality; AIDS is the result of your sins”.
At the time of writing, there remains very little evidence to suggest that Summer made any such remark. Koffler seems to have since left journalism, which reduces his original statement to nothing more than drama-causing for no good reason. Perhaps there was an explanation for why he felt the need to fabricate an intensely harmful narrative, but unless he comes forward and sheds light on the truth, no one will ever know why these comments were written.
Summer later reflected on the alleged remarks, angrily stating: “I did not make that statement,” adding: “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.
“I’ve lost a lot of friends who have died of AIDS,” continued Summer, tears welling in her eyes. “I’m hurting as much as anyone else at the amount of people who are gone. Last year was an incredible year in terms of friends of mine who died – people who ran my first album, who were really close to me, beautiful guys, and I mean beautiful guys. It is devastating.”
Adding: “A couple of the people I write with are gay, and they have been ever since I met them. What people want to do with their own bodies is their personal preference. I’m not going to stand in judgment about what the Bible says about someone else’s life. I’ve got things in my own life I’ve got to clean up. What’s in your life is your business.”
Although Summer garnered a reputation for breaking and pushing boundaries for other reasons, being homophobic seemingly wasn’t in her nature. “I never said, ‘If you are gay, God hates you.’ Come on,” she said. “Be real. I don’t understand that. Anybody who really knows me knows I wouldn’t say that.”
