Dr. Laura Apologizes
Faced with increasing criticism of her views on homosexuality and her planned TV show, radio talk show host Dr. Laura Schlessinger took to her Web site - http://www.drlaura.com - to apologize to Gay men and Lesbians. Her statement is as follows:
"In the recent, very public dialogue concerning my upcoming television show and my religious beliefs about homosexuality, many things have been said. Some are true. Many, unfortunately, are not. But one inviolate truth is that I never intend to hurt anyone or contribute in any way to an atmosphere of hate or intolerance.
"Regrettably, some of the words I've used have hurt some people, and I am sorry for that. Words that I have used in a clinical context have been perceived as judgment. They were not meant to characterize homosexual individuals or encourage others to disparage homosexuals.
"I regularly remind my listeners that we are all made in G-d's image, and therefore we should treat one another with love and kindness, irrespective of one's faith.
I will continue to discuss on radio and television a variety of pressing moral and ethical issues facing our society; I remain committed to doing this in an environment free from hate or intolerance and with a deep respect for freedom of speech. I can only hope others will share this commitment."
Paramount Television Group, which is producing Schlessinger's TV show this fall, issued a statement of its own, saying Paramount has "always shared a commitment to present society's issues without creating or contributing to an environment of hurt, hate, or intolerance." So far, 165 stations have committed to airing Schlessinger's daily show.
Ellen Coming to
New Orleans & Austin in June
Ellen DeGeneres is taking her first stand-up comedy routine in eight years on the road, a tour that will culminate with a July HBO special. She'll be in New Orleans at the Saenger Theatre June 13 and in Austin at The Backyard June 15. Here's where you can catch her:
MAY
Thursday, May 4, Easton, Pa., State Theatre; Friday, May 5, New Brunswick, N.J., State Theatre; Saturday, May 6, Atlantic City, N.J., Resorts; Sunday, May 7, Syracuse, N.Y., Landmark Theatre; Wednesday, May 10, Rochester, N.Y., Rochester Auditorium Theater; Thursday, May 11, Montreal, Place des Arts; Friday, May 12, Toronto, Massey Hall; Saturday, May 13 Wallingford, Conn., Oakdale Theater ; Sunday, May 14, Boston, The Orpheum Theater; Tuesday, May 16, Washington, D.C., Kennedy Center; Wednesday, May 17, Cincinnati, State Theatre; Thursday, May 18, Cleveland, State Theatre; Friday, May 19, Columbus, Ohio, Palace Theatre; Saturday, May 20, Chicago, Chicago Theatre; Sunday, May 21, Mystic, Minn., Mystic Lake Casino; Monday, May 22, Madison, Wis., Oscar Mayer Theatre.
JUNE
Thursday - Sunday, June 1-4, Midwest (schedule TBA); Thursday - Sunday, June 8-11, Florida/Atlanta (schedule TBA); Tuesday, June 13 New Orleans, Saenger Theatre; Thursday, June 15, Austin, Tex., The Backyard; Friday, June 16, San Antonio, Majestic Theatre; Saturday, June 17, Dallas, Bronco Bowl ; Sunday, June 18, Houston, Arena Theatre; Tuesday, June 20, Phoenix, Celebrity Theatre; Wednesday, June 21, Off or TBA; Thursday, June 22, San Diego, Humphrey's; Friday, June 23, Santa Barbara, Calif., Santa Barbara Bowl; Saturday, June 24, Los Angeles, Universal Amphitheatre; Sunday, June 25, Santa Rosa, Calif., Luther Burbank Center; Monday, June 26, Saratoga, Calif., Mountain Winery; Tuesday, June 27, Off; Wednesday, June 28, Portland, Ore., Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall; Thursday, June 29, Seattle, Paramount Theatre.
JULY
Thursday - Sunday, July 6-9, Boston, (schedule TBA); Tuesday-Saturday, July 11-15, Philadelphia, (schedule TBA) Academy of Music.
