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Performing Rights Organization BMI has released a statement that Kim Burrell is uninvited to attend the 2017 BMI Trailblazers of Gospel Music due to her controversial sermon against homosexuality:
BMI’s Trailblazers of Gospel Music is an annual celebration of gospel music and its many talented songwriters. Given the controversy surrounding this year’s co-honoree Kim Burrell, we have asked her to not take part in the ceremony in order to allow the focus to remain on the songwriters and their music. BMI was founded over 76 years ago with an open door policy to welcome songwriters across all genres, and that same spirit of tolerance, diversity and inclusiveness continues today.
BMI will honor gospel music superstar Marvin Sapp at its 18th annual BMI Trailblazers of Gospel Music Honors at the Rialto Center for the Arts in Atlanta, GA on January 14, 2017. This inspirational event will pay tribute to the very best of the gospel music community, with former Trailblazers award recipient Yolanda Adams returning to the stage as host alongside gospel singer-songwriter VaShawn Mitchell.
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Talk show host Ellen Degeneres, who is openly gay, also did not welcome Burrell to her show to perform “Victory” alongside Pharell and Janelle Monae due to the comments that were made during the sermon.
