TV Guide's soap editor, Jonathan Reiner, lashed out at All My Children this week for its decision to feature Grammy winner CeCe Winans on its December 24, 1999 episode. The magazine mistakently reported that Winans had recorded an anti-gay song. The song was actually CeCe's relatives, Angie and Debbie Winans.
Angie and Debbie Winans recently recorded a track called, "It's Not Natural," a song that openly condemns homosexuality. Aside from the political issues that this might raise, the placement of Winans on the show was more than a bit of a faux pas.
AMC won the GLAAD (Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) in 1996 and 1997 for its positive portrayal of two gay male characters and storylines. Actors Ben Jorgensen (Kevin Sheffield) and Chris Bruno (Michael Delaney) were highly raised for their work with the show.
A spokesperson for the show issued the following statement in response to TV Guide's query, "All My Children [...] invited CeCe Winans to perform on their Christmas Eve show based solely on her holiday music appeal and popularity."
