Michelle Shocked Stages Protest At Canceled Show

Michelle Shocked showed up to her canceled show in Santa Cruz, her face covered and mouth taped shut, as a way to protest what she saw as censorship.

At a concert in San Francisco earlier this month, Shocked had made several statements against same-sex marriage and claimed that God hates gay people. The comments went over terribly with the crowd, which reportedly cleared out shortly afterward.

The born-again Christian was scheduled to play at Moe’s Alley in Santa Cruz on Thursday, but after the rant the venue canceled her show and added in two bands known for their LGBT support.

After the backlash Michelle Shocked went on to apologize for her statements, saying she was only relaying what others believe about gay marriage.

“My statement equating repeal of Prop 8 with the coming of the End Times was neither literal nor ironic: it was a description of how some folks — not me — feel about gay marriage,” she said.

“I do not, nor have I ever, said or believed that God hates homosexuals (or anyone else). I said that some of His followers believe that,” Shocked added.

Michelle Shocked tweeted her plans to attend the canceled show on Thursday morning, and later that night followed through with the threat.

She showed up in symbolic shackles, with the words “Silenced By Fear” written on the tape across her mouth. Shocked sat outside the venue with a sign asking people to pick up a Sharpie marker and write on her white disposable safety suit.

Bill Welch, owner of Moe’s Alley and the one who canceled Michelle Shocked’s show, talked with the singer as she strummed her guitar outside his club.

Welch said he picked the replacement bands — Beaver Fever and Frootie Flavors — because of their beliefs, but didn’t look at the night as a statement against Shocked.

“We will not be bashing Michelle Shocked,” he said of the canceled show. “Rather we will celebrate music, diversity and send some healing Santa Cruz energy her way.”