Singer Stevie Wonder has expanded on
his comment that Frank Ocean might be confused about his sexual
orientation.
UK's The Guardian on Friday
quoted the 62-year-old Wonder as saying about the media hoopla
surrounding Ocean's coming out: “I think honestly, some people who
think they're gay, they're confused. People can misconstrue
closeness for love. People can feel connected, they bond. I'm not
saying all [gay people are confused]. Some people have a desire to
be with the same sex. But that's them.”
Ocean, 24 and a member of the
collective Odd Future, announced in a blog post that his “first
love” was another man. He is credited as the first mainstream
hip-hop artist to come out. Ocean released his latest album, Channel
Orange, shortly after his announcement.
In a statement to gay glossy The
Advocate, Wonder expanded on his remarks, saying his comment was
“misunderstood.”
“I'm sorry that my words about anyone
feeling confused about their love were misunderstood,” Wonder
said. “No one has been a greater advocate for the power of
love in this world than I; both in my life and in my music. Clearly,
love is love, between a man and a woman, a woman and a man, a woman
and a woman, and a man and a man. What I'm not confused about is the
world needing much more love, no hate, no prejudice, no bigotry and
more unity, peace and understanding. Period.”