Jessy Delfino's Blog

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NYC ARTIST RESPONDS TO CATHOLIC LEAGUE’S ATTACK

 

December 22, 2006—Jessica Delfino today called Catholic League President William Donohue “a hypocrite and a bigot” for what she described as “anti-Muslim statements” denouncing her act.

 

In a December 19th statement (See: http://www.catholicleague.org/06press_releases/quarter%204/061219_obscenities.htm), Catholic League President William Donohue publicly attacked New York City-based musician and performance artist Jessica Delfino, accusing her of providing “ammunition” to radical Muslims.

“Jessica Delfino is taking her ‘Merry S--tmas Tour’ on the road,” complained Donohue.  “Her performance includes the showing of an obscenely-titled video banned from YouTube that features her rapping about her vagina, complete with obscene pictures flashing in the background.  Rapping about her genitals, she sings, ‘it will become your true religion.’”  He said.

Donohue then went further with his accusation, claiming, “None of this is without malice.  And at a time when radical Muslims are accusing Americans of harboring a depraved understanding of liberty, it only provides ammunition to the enemy.”



Jessica Delfino minced no words in her response. 

 

“I was brought up Catholic, and I was also brought up to believe that it isn’t anti-Catholic to celebrate the life-giving and life-nurturing parts of a woman’s body,” said Delfino.  “I don’t know why William Donohue hates women’s bodies.  I don’t know why he is afraid of refocusing attention on humanity's true source of creation, the mysterious and magical womb.  But I do know that William Donohue is a hypocrite and a bigot, who has publicly made outrageous and highly-offensive anti-Semitic, and now anti-Muslim statements.  And that certainly doesn’t make him a better Catholic than I am,” she continued.  “William Donohue does not speak for all Catholics.  He doesn’t speak for me,” she concluded.


William Donohue infamously made a December 8, 2004 assertion on Scarborough Country that “Hollywood is controlled by secular Jews who hate Christianity in general and Catholicism in particular.  It’s not a secret, okay?  And I’m not afraid to say it.”  This statement was widely viewed as anti-Semitic.

Jessica Delfino is a critically acclaimed artist who has appeared on Good Morning America and Opie & Anthony, and whose work has been called, “Funny and smart” by Sonic Youth's Thurston Moore in Arthur Magazine and “some of the most nasty, offensive, degrading, and genius comedy you’ll see all year,” by the New York Blade.  Last year, she was named “Best Potty-Mouthed, Guitar-Slinging Comedian of 2005” by the Village Voice.   She has received similarly glowing reviews from Jane Magazine, High Times, The Onion A/V Club, Time Out New York, and numerous other local and national publications.  More information about her can be found at jessydelfino.blogspot.com.