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07/08/2012 - Kim Burrell - Essence Music Festival 2012 New Orleans - Day 3 - Seminars and Backstage - Ernest N. Morial Convention Center - New Orleans, LA, USA - Keywords: 1/2 length shot, half length shot, pastor, gospel artist Orientation: Portrait Face Count: 1 - False - Photo Credit: Aaron J. Thornton / PR Photos - Contact (1-866-551-7827) - Portrait Face Count: 1

 

Kim Burrell continues to feel the punitive effect of her anti-gay sermon, and has now lost her popular weekly show at Texas Southern University’s KTRK as a result.

The controversy started after video of Burrell preaching at Houston’s Love & Liberty Fellowship Church went viral. In it, she spoke against homosexuality and said “the perverted homosexual spirit, and the spirit of delusion and confusion, it has deceived many men and women.”

In a statement released Wednesday, TSU says Burrell’s new show, “Bridging the Gap,” would no longer be airing Sunday afternoons on the university’s radio station, KTSU (90.9 FM).

When the show debuted in June, TSU said “Bridging the Gap” would feature the singer’s “unique take on music, life and society”:

This radio show is Burrell’s first venture as a radio host. She plans to give her fans and new listeners a mix of encouragement and entertainment. Bridging the Gap will feature special segments, including “You Thought It, I Said It,” “Losing My Religion”, and “Summary of Hope.” The weekly show will also feature special guest appearances from music artists in Jazz, R&B and Gospel.

TSU’s decision comes one day after Ellen DeGeneres dis-invited Burrell from her show, where she was to join Pharrell for a performance of their song “I See a Victory” from the Hidden Figures soundtrack. Ellen and Pharrell sat down instead and Ellen explained why Burrell was disinvited from her show.

But Burrell has gotten support from and unlikely source. A churchgoer says that despite their orientation, Burrell embraced them with open arms.

KHOU.com reports:

“Kim Burrell loves people,” O’Rhonde Chapman said.

Chapman credits Burrell for helping change his life.

“(She) supported me, embraced me, encouraged me and inspired me to be all that I have become today,” Chapman said.

Eight years ago, Chapman was a transgendered Nimitz High School student fighting for acceptance.

Later, homelessness and identity issues led him to Life and Liberty Fellowship Church. He found its pastor, Kim Burrell, with arms wide open.

“I was openly gay at the time,” he said. “So (Burrell) embraced me. She didn’t shun me. She didn’t have hatred towards me. She treated me in a way that I was supposed to be treated.”

Burrell pushed Chapman to chase his dream of going to design school and starting his own fashion line.

So, when he saw a snippet of a recent Burrell sermon shared online then criticized as “gay bashing,” Chapman cringed.

Then, when Ellen DeGeneres canceled Burrell’s planned appearance on The Ellen Show to promote her music featured in the upcoming film Hidden Figures, Chapman chose to speak up.

“Even hearing that snippet, I still know that her heart for people to do right and her heart after making sure that God’s mission was completed was every bit of pure no matter how it’s being received,” he said.

PHOTO: PR Photos

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