Gay minister to open Obama's gospel concerts

[DeepModem Mom]

CNN/AP: October 24, 2007
Gay minister to open Obama's gospel concerts

WASHINGTON (AP) — In response to an uproar from gay activists, Democrat Barack Obama's presidential campaign on Thursday added a gay minister to the lineup for its weekend gospel tour. Gay activists had criticized Obama's "Embrace the Change" tour in South Carolina because the performers included gospel singer Donnie McClurkin, who says homosexuality is a choice.

Obama's campaign invited Rev. Andy Sidden, a South Carolina pastor who is openly gay, to appear on Sunday in Columbia. Obama discussed Sidden's inclusion Thursday with Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign, which supports gay rights. In a statement, Solmonese said he thanked Obama for including Sidden but told the Illinois senator he was disappointed McClurkin will remain part of the program.

"There is no gospel in Donnie McClurkin's message for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people and their allies," Solmonese said. "That's a message that certainly doesn't belong on any presidential candidate's stage."

McClurkin is a Grammy Award winner who performed at the Republican National Convention in 2004. He told AP Radio in an interview that September that he was "once involved with those desires an those thoughts," but God turned him away from them.

Obama has spoken out against homophobia, including in the black community. He supports civil unions for same-sex couples but not the right for gay marriage.

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2007/10/24/gay-minister-to-open-obamas-gospel-concerts/

[Colobo]

1. I think the event will be interesting, and will have positive results now

that Sidden is there.

[greyl]

2. "McClurkin will remain part of the program."

Dammit Barack.

[daninthemoon]

3. I'll be glad when this event is over. I'm pretty confident that Obama

will take the opportunity to address the intolerance issue head on. He'd be a fool not to, wether he's trying to "pander" to the fundies or not. Gifted speaker that he is, he just might enlighten a few. Guess we'll see in a few days.

[greyl]

4. Addressing it head on would have been adding Rev. Sidden and dumping McClurkin.

[Karenina]

10. I'm wondering who proferred Donnie in the first place!!!

I mean, were Take 6 or Fred Hammond not available???
Maybe it was a MOLE! :rofl::tinfoilhat::rofl:

What a perfect storm! :popcorn: Separation of Church and State is an astute principle. Blowback is a bitch!

[illinoisprogressive]

5. here is a good summary on the issue and how Obama is being singled out by the press

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x2131202

[PurityOfEssence]

6. What a Clintonian solution. Gonna be fun in the green room.

Now there's the way to be on both sides of an issue; the Senator from New York couldn't have done it better herself.

Boy, I'd like to be a fly on the teaser in the wings of this Snake-Oil Show...

[greyl]

7. Is this the only thread about this? nt

[progressoid]

8. Mmmm...

:popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn:

[greyl]

9. lol For whatever reason, I'm not sure if the popcorn is appropriate. nt

[MethuenProgressive]

11. "Obama has spoken out against homophobia" Actions are louder than Words.

Obama is proof positive that Talk is Cheap.

[Bodhi BloodWave]

12. Do your statement include

the legislation he has sponsored, co-sponsored, voted for or against(when bad?)

I agree, actions do indeed speak louder then words, and his actions is usually quite good

[MethuenProgressive]

13. "McClurkin will remain part of the program." is "quite good" action by Obama?

"I agree, actions do indeed speak louder then words, and his actions is usually quite good"

Here's a chance for him to act. He won't, though...

[Bodhi BloodWave]

14. As i said 'usually quite good'

This choice i disagree on as i would have preferred that the fellow had not been chosen.

But since he has been chosen i will accept it as long as he keeps is mouth shut outside of singing(he was hired to sing and he is a good singer even if his personal views are *censored*)

If we are lucky he might even learn something from the event