Listen Live
WRNB HD2 Featured Video
CLOSE

When remembering Donna Summer we don’t think of controversy. In the mid 1980’s Donna Summer was in the prime of her career as a singer and entertainer. At the same time, a new disease called AIDS started to gain attention in the media as a new epidemic, which threatened society. Summer had allegedly made anti-gay remarks regarding the then-relatively new disease, which as a result had a significantly negative impact on her career. Thousands of her records were returned to her record company by angered fans because of her remarks. Summer, a born again Christian alleged to have said that AIDS was a punishment from God for the immoral lifestyles of homosexuals. In 1989 Summer wrote a letter to the AIDS campaign group ACT UP, denying she ever made any remarks disrespectful to the Gay community.

She said:

“the whole thing was a terrible misunderstanding. I was unknowingly protected by those around me from the bad press and hate letters … If I have caused you pain, forgive me.”

She later filed a lawsuit against New York magazine when it reprinted the rumors as fact just as she was about to release her album Mistaken Identity in 1991.

Like RNBPHILLY On Facebook for more exclusive entertainment news

Related Stories:

Donna Summer Dead At 63

Sign Our R.I.P. Donna Summer E-Card

Top 10 Donna Summer Songs [POLL]

Celebs React To Donna Summers Death On Twitter

RIP Donna Summer, Watch Her Most Memorable Live Performances [VIDEO]

5 Artists That Wouldn’t Be Here Without Donna Summer