Group to Obama: Drop singer from tour
Posted on Tue, Oct. 23, 2007
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By ANN SANNER
Associated Press Writer

Jim Cole / AP Photo
Democratic presidential hopeful, U.S. Sen Barack Obama, D-Il., gives a speech after filing his declaration of candidacy papers at the State house in Concord, N.H., Monday, Oct. 22, 2007.
Truth Wins Out

WASHINGTON --
A gay rights group has urged Barack Obama to cut ties with a gospel singer who it says spreads false information about homosexuality being a choice.

Donnie McClurkin is among several gospel singers scheduled to raise money for the Illinois senator and Democratic presidential candidate at a concert in South Carolina this weekend.

McClurkin has drawn attention from gay rights activists for his views on homosexuality.

"I don't believe that it is the intention of God," McClurkin said Monday in a telephone interview. "Sexuality, everything is a matter of choice."

McClurkin said he does not believe in discriminating against homosexuals. "What people do in their bedrooms and who they are as human beings are two different things," he said.

In a statement, Obama said he believes gays and lesbians are "our brothers and sisters" and should be afforded the same respect, dignity and rights granted all other citizens.

"I have consistently spoken directly to African-American religious leaders about the need to overcome the homophobia that persists in some parts our community so that we can confront issues like HIV/AIDS and broaden the reach of equal rights in this country," Obama said. "I strongly believe that African Americans and the LGBT community must stand together in the fight for equal rights. And so I strongly disagree with Reverend McClurkin's views and will continue to fight for these rights as president of the United States to ensure that America is a country that spreads tolerance instead of division."

The statement did not say whether McClurkin will still perform on the tour.

"We strongly urge Obama to part ways with this divisive preacher who is clearly singing a different tune than the stated message of the campaign," Wayne Besen, executive director of Truth Wins Out, said in a statement.

At a forum on gay issues in August, Obama argued that civil unions for same-sex couples wouldn't be a "lesser thing" than marriage. Obama belongs to the United Church of Christ, which supports gay marriage, but Obama has yet to go that far.

In a telephone interview Monday, Besen said he admired Obama, but wasn't ready to endorse him, especially considering McClurkin taking part in the campaign's "Embrace the Change" concert tour.

"I think he'd be a great president. But I think it's going to drive away support from people who are on the fence such as myself," Besen said.

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 and those thoughts," which he attributed to being raped at 8 and 13.

"That's what thrust me into it, and then God delivered me from that and gave me back who I really am and my true purpose," McClurkin said.

if I was him id hold my ground. use donnie where he can be beneficial to him. it amazes me at some of these gay [white] groups- said nothing about the hypocricy in the 04 election when the republicans went to what seems every house in the bible belt and middle america screaming the gays are taking over (all the while the VP's daughter is living an out and active gay lifestyle)

I hope that Obama doesn't budge on this one, for he needs to show that he will not and can not be bullied by persons who state categorically that they will not support his entire campaign because of one person's view.

Isn't it clear enough that Obama supports working with LGBT?

Embracing everyone's opinion (or at least their right to have it), though one may not agree, is the way humanity will get over intolerance.

Is this LGBT group guilty of the same tactics that they fight against? i.e. Blacklisting someone or threatening them because of their (or an affiliate's) viewpoints.

amen.

Suk teet. Well tell the group to go wote for Hillary, cuz they will for the most part anyway.

once donnie isn't participating in kidnapping gay people and converting them,
i think obama can support both issues...

my take is that gay rights don't oppose christian (religious) rights and vice versa(sp)...

So they touring the Bahamas?

http://gfabtoons.com/blog/?pp_album=main&pp_cat=&pp_image=Ghetto_Fabulous_8.25.07.jpg

if I was him id hold my ground. use donnie where he can be beneficial to him. it amazes me at some of these gay [white] groups- said nothing about the hypocricy in the 04 election when the republicans went to what seems every house in the bible belt and middle america screaming the gays are taking over (all the while the VP's daughter is living an out and active gay lifestyle)



Well Donnie did sing at the 2004 Republican Convention (CLICK HERE (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A42982-2004Aug28.html))........just as an FYI.

Its not just whites or just gays that have a problem with Donnie .....but we also understand the potential difficulties in trying to disinvite him.

Read this http://www.keithboykin.com/arch/2007/10/23/barack_obama_an for more information.

Well Donnie did sing at the 2004 Republican Convention (CLICK HERE (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A42982-2004Aug28.html))........just as an FYI.
Its not just whites or just gays that have a problem with Donnie .....but we also understand the potential difficulties in trying to disinvite him.
Read this http://www.keithboykin.com/arch/2007/10/23/barack_obama_an for more information.

Interesting analysis of what he should do.

The fourth option is the best and probably would be similar to what Obama's camp would come up with. There is little chance that Obama's camp will change the schedule, for their strength is in their openness and dedication to all segments of American society and their proven ability to intellectualize the challenges he faces.

"Fourth, Obama goes ahead with the event but also schedules a meeting with leaders in the black LGBT community. If he's going to go ahead and do the tour anyway, Obama may need to make amends, and meeting with black LGBT figures might be a helpful way of answering both sides. One option is to meet with black LGBT folk in South Carolina. Another option is to allow the National Black Justice Coalition to convene a meeting somewhere else."

Obama obviously is a true democratic leader who can state his personal opinion, but not shut out completely those who may have a differing view. This is an easy one for his team to figure out. They have come too far to let either side of that debate dictate his actions. He won't back down fully, but he'll definitely let people know exactly why he did whatever he does - that's for sure.

Interesting analysis of what he should do.

The fourth option is the best and probably would be similar to what Obama's camp would come up with. There is little chance that Obama's camp will change the schedule, for their strength is in their openness and dedication to all segments of American society and their proven ability to intellectualize the challenges he faces.

"Fourth, Obama goes ahead with the event but also schedules a meeting with leaders in the black LGBT community. If he's going to go ahead and do the tour anyway, Obama may need to make amends, and meeting with black LGBT figures might be a helpful way of answering both sides. One option is to meet with black LGBT folk in South Carolina. Another option is to allow the National Black Justice Coalition to convene a meeting somewhere else."

Obama obviously is a true democratic leader who can state his personal opinion, but not shut out completely those who may have a differing view. This is an easy one for his team to figure out. They have come too far to let either side of that debate dictate his actions. He won't back down fully, but he'll definitely let people know exactly why he did whatever he does - that's for sure.

what he said.
I like boykin's insight and view his site every so often- he's sharp! (I just cant take the pop ups)

Interesting analysis of what he should do.

The fourth option is the best and probably would be similar to what Obama's camp would come up with. There is little chance that Obama's camp will change the schedule, for their strength is in their openness and dedication to all segments of American society and their proven ability to intellectualize the challenges he faces.

"Fourth, Obama goes ahead with the event but also schedules a meeting with leaders in the black LGBT community. If he's going to go ahead and do the tour anyway, Obama may need to make amends, and meeting with black LGBT figures might be a helpful way of answering both sides. One option is to meet with black LGBT folk in South Carolina. Another option is to allow the National Black Justice Coalition to convene a meeting somewhere else."

Obama obviously is a true democratic leader who can state his personal opinion, but not shut out completely those who may have a differing view. This is an easy one for his team to figure out. They have come too far to let either side of that debate dictate his actions. He won't back down fully, but he'll definitely let people know exactly why he did whatever he does - that's for sure.


i agree. what you said (in bold) is the mark of a true leader. Donnie is a divisive figure....and he should not have been invited to participate in the first place (imo)......but there are ways to work around the invitation.

what he said.
I like boykin's insight and view his site every so often- he's sharp! (I just cant take the pop ups)


Keith and his BF are both very cool and very intelligent guys. Young, Black, Lawyers, successful.....a lot to be proud of.

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