Stevie Wonder backtracks from statement that gay people are 'confused'

Stevie Wonder has retreated from a comment in an interview with the Guardian last week, when he suggested the singer Frank Ocean, and other gay people, might be "confused" about their sexuality. "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," Wonder said on Saturday.

The 62-year-old made his initial comments in an interview with Friday's G2 Film&Music. Wonder was asked about Ocean, whose music he has heavily influenced, and who revealed in July that his "first love" was a man. "I like Frank," Wonder said. "[But] 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."

Wonder has now backed away from these statements, telling the Advocate he was "misunderstood".

"I'm sorry that my words about anyone feeling confused about their love were misunderstood," he 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. 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."

Ocean has not responded directly to Wonder's comments. On Friday he retweeted the producer Michael Uzowuru: "In the practice of tolerance, one's enemy is the best teacher – dalai lama."

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7tbTEoKyaqpSerq96wqikaKWlqLake5FpaGtno5q9cHySaKqtnaaesm7DzqebnqpdnK66ec%2BepqmklWKwsLrFrqqenA%3D%3D