Carol Channing, best known for her ditzy-blonde stage persona and millions of stage performances of "Hello Dolly" over several decades, really slapped her gay fans in the face in a recent interview.

The 85-year-old performer has long had a huge gay following and is scheduled to tour with Debbie Reynolds in a two-women show next year. Reynolds is a beloved trouper but I wonder if they will have trouble selling tickets to gays fans after Channing surprised Gay People's Chronicle reporter Kaizaad Kotwal by sharing some not-quite-friendly views on gays and the Bible.
Here is the unfortunate exchange which was reported in the Towleroad blog this morning:

KK: You seem to have a very large gay following. Have you ever thought about why?
CC: I don’t think about them. I’m grateful that they seem to like me. They’re terribly loyal to me. But I’m knee-deep in the Bible and you know what it says about that.
KK: Alright.
CC: Oh, dear. Is this for a gay publication? Have I offended you?
KK: Yes. For the Gay People’s Chronicle. Right now, it’s really not my job to be offended or not be offended. I am just asking questions and reporting answers. I read that you have fought for gay rights. Do you think that the things gay people are fighting for are important?
CC: I don’t think about it. If they can’t take care of their own problems, why should I bother. It’s not my problem.
KK: I see.
CC: At one time there were seven men doing me in Las Vegas. I began to wonder if I had a glandular problem. But you know that the Bible says that that’s not the way it’s supposed to be.

Late Monday, Channing's publicist issued a lengthy statement in defense of the performer. Here is part of it:

"What she actually said when asked about gay marriage was that she wasnt necessarily pro gay marriage, because why would we want the government involved in our business and most of her gay friends were in
agreement - this include myself. She thought civil unions and civil rights were more important, but "if this is what gay men really want then its their business and I dont care, they can take care of themselves."

"With reference to the Bible - she said about gay marriage "You know what the Bible says about it ... Nothing." The interviewer failed to add that last comment in the quote to the interview."

"Her history of support speaks for its self. As a gay man myself, who has worked for her for years, she has supported my 7 year relationship from the beginning and of her other gay friends and colleagues agree."