Kirk Cameron's Antigay Remarks: Celebrities Respond

Although former actor Stephen Baldwin thinks Kirk Cameron did a "great job" making antigay remarks on television last Friday, other celebrities including Roseanne Barr, Debra Messing, and Cameron's former Growing Pains costars Tracey Gold and Alan Thicke disagree.

The former sitcom actor turned evangelical Christian activist appeared on Piers Morgan's CNN talk show Friday, and when asked his views on homosexuality, he stated, "I think that it's unnatural. I think that it's detrimental and ultimately destructive to so many of the foundations of civilization." The remarks created an immediate uproar among equality advocates, and the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation quickly took action, creating this page for people to express their disapproval.

Morgan was interviewed by website TMZ and asked if he considers Cameron's opinions outdated."I think he was pretty brave to say what he said," Morgan replied. "Many would argue [it's] an antiquated view."

Gold, who played Cameron's sister in the hit sitcom Growing Pains, immediately distanced herself from her former costar's derogatory comments, tweeting, "I am a strong supporter of the #LGBT Community, and I believe in equal rights for all. #NOH8 #LOVE"

Actor Baldwin, who describes himself as a "Jesus freak" in his Twitter profile, appears to be the only celebrity who is publicly defending Cameron. Baldwin tweeted, "GREAT JOB Kirk !!! Let's pray one day Piers Morgan finds true Salvation, God Bless!"

Obviously Cameron and Baldwin do not represent all evangelicals. "Despite what Kirk Cameron said on CNN's Piers Morgan program, being gay is not unnatural, detrimental, or destructive to the foundation of civilization," said Todd Ferrell, president of the Evangelical Network. "The church in large is part of the problem but has great potential to be a part of the solution. The church and Christianity have gotten off track by overemphasizing religious legalism and underemphasizing a relationship with God. They also are simply out of touch with where America is on equality. Churches across America are seeing lower attendance, and much of this has been attributed to their nonstop preaching against gays and lesbians."

GCB star Kristin Chenoweth, a 2011 GLAAD Media Award winner, gave an interview to ABC in which she discussed being a Christian who supports LGBT equality. "The Bible tells us that we're not supposed to judge, and people shouldn't judge before seeing the show," Chenoweth says. "Even as a young child, I thought, 'Why is being gay bad?' I didn't understand it. So I asked my grandma, who is the best Christian I ever knew. I'd say, 'What about my friend Denny, he's gay, is he going to hell?' She told me, 'I read the Bible like I eat fish. I take the meat that serves me well, but I don't choke on the bone.'"

Read statements released by other celebrities in response to Cameron's remarks on the following pages.

Christopher Rice, novelist
"Kirk Cameron says marriage was defined by God in the Garden of Eden. No response from Cameron on why the world isn't full of talking snakes."

Roseanne Barr, actress-comedian
"Kirk or Kurt or whatever Cameron is an accomplice to murder with his hate speech. so is Rick Warren. Their peers r killing gays in Uganda."

Craig Ferguson, talk show host
"Rush makes me ashamed to be a middleaged white man and Kirk Cameron makes me ashamed to be a failed actor. We don't all think like that NoH8."

Matt Doyle, actor
"Sad shame about Kirk Cameron. Takes some serious fear and insecurity to make hateful comments about things that have nothing to do with you."

Billy Eichner, comedian
"So great to hear what Kirk Cameron thinks about gay people. Anybody know where Tina Yothers stands on the death penalty?"

Josh Charles, actor
"I know Growing Pains was only a TV show, but I have to think both Alan Thicke & Joanna Kerns must feel they failed as parents tonight."

Sarah Colonna, comedian
"Wish I could go to the 80s & un-buy that Kirk Cameron poster. Loving God but spreading hate has never made sense to me."

Jordan Knight, musician
"Ted Haggard vehemently opposed gays as well. Wonder why? He couldn't accept himself ... in my opinion. #justsayin"

Debra Messing
"I want to thank Piers Morgan for his response to what he wud say to HIS child if (s)he came out: "Great, as long as you're happy."

Nick Stadler, comedian
"Amazing how many idiots feel empowered by Kirk Cameron. It'll be even better after he's caught sucking [expletive] in a public toilet."

Zach Braff, actor
"If Kirk Cameron hates gay people, why was he best friends with Boner?"

Tony Tripoli, comedian
"I now blame Kirk Cameron for poor Tracy Gold's eating issues. He's made ME want to puke all day, too."

Martha Plimpton, actress
"The word 'Equality' shows up too much in our founding documents for anyone to pretend it's not the American way. #usethe19th #equalitynow"

Piers Morgan, talk show host
"Things I (and I suspect he!) didn't expect today -- Kirk Cameron trending worldwide on and off for 4 hours."

Jesse Tyler Ferguson, actor
"The only unnatural thing about me being gay is that I had a crush on Kirk Cameron until about 24 hours ago."

Alan Thicke, actor
"I'm getting him some new books. The Old Testament simply can't be expected to explain everything."