No Responses to “Obama’s Faith-Inclusive Campaign Includes Ex-Gay Gospel Singer”

1. Mike Airhart, on October 21st, 2007 at 10:54 am Said:

   Obama should have talked with Harry Jackson. Maybe Jackson’s “Change or Die” slogan isn’t so bad after all.

2. Rev. Cindi Green, on October 21st, 2007 at 11:50 am Said:

   I am disappointed at Sen. Obama. This feeds into both the right-wing position on the glbt community AND the ex-gay groups, both of whom have been proven to be wrong-minded. I would’ve hoped that Sen. Obama would have supported the gay community and chosen to not be involved with these groups.

3. Mike Airhart, on October 21st, 2007 at 12:12 pm Said:

   On the one hand, I don’t believe that political candidates should have to submit every single supporter or performer to a detailed political litmus test.

   On the other hand, some of McClurkin’s comments about same-sex-attracted persons have been incredibly bigoted: angry, mean-spirited, ignorant, hypocritical, and easily disproven.

   Maybe there shouldn’t be a litmus test, but on the other hand, would it be OK for a candidate to hire performers affiliated with the KKK? Where does one draw the line and say, “Enough’s enough?”

4. Aaron, on October 21st, 2007 at 2:07 pm Said:

   I have no problem with Obama hiring this guy. One, McClurkin could have changed his views. Two, Obama should encourage more people on his side. Obama has been pretty supportive of gay rights, so I doubt this is significant. Remember, Values Voters was about exclusion; Obama is inclusion.

5. Box Turtle Bulletin » Obama’s Campaign Gospel Tour To Feature Ex-Gay Advocate, on October 21st, 2007 at 3:24 pm Said:

   [...] Senator Obama’s campaign has planned an “Embrace the Change” gospel concert tour to consist of three dates in South Carolina featuring five acts, one of whom is Donnie McClurkin according to the New York Times. (Yes, the tour is named “Embrace the Change” which XGW also finds worth noting.) [...]

6. John, on October 21st, 2007 at 8:25 pm Said:

   A previous strong supporter of George W. Bush and now signing on to the Obama campaign just a few years later. I am not sure where Obama and W are close on any issues. So, I guess I am a little confused about what has attracted McClurkin to the Obama campaign. On the other hand, maybe I am making the error by expecting any of this to make sense.

7. Micah, on October 22nd, 2007 at 11:11 am Said:

   If Donnie McClurkin is supporting Obama, I would have to believe that he is having a significant change of heart when it comes to gay rights. It would be a little strange for a strong ex-gay advocate to be supporting a presidential candidate who is strongly in favor of gay rights.

8. Mike Airhart, on October 22nd, 2007 at 11:43 am Said:

   Good points — McClurkin may well have had a change of heart.

9. Rob (a.k.a Xeno), on October 22nd, 2007 at 2:04 pm Said:

   It would be a little strange for a strong ex-gay advocate to be supporting a presidential candidate who is strongly in favor of gay rights.

   Obama strongly in favor of gay rights??? I’d say he’s rather tepid on the issue. ENDA and federal hate crimes are just cookie crumbs left on the floor for us. None of the major candidates have taken a strong stand on protecting gay families and letting gays and lesbians openly serve in the armed forces. They simply parrot the usual partisan line concerning these issues.

   McClurkin may well have had a change of heart.

   Is there any strong evidence indicating that McClurkin had a change of heart? I do think McClurkin and Obama should be confronted about this in public.

   Anyway, Obama automatically loses points for this, regardless if McClurkin had a change of heart or not.

10. a. mcewen, on October 22nd, 2007 at 2:15 pm Said:

    Or it could be that Mr. McClurkin realised that the issue of homosexuality is more intrinsic and getting on the 700 Club and talking about being an “ex-gay” only complicates the issue.

    It kinda reminds me of when the Winans sisters wrote that song “It’s Not Natural.”

    First they were doing the talk show circuit about being against homosexuality, then they were testifying in front of State Congressional Committees against pro-gay ordinances.

    And finally, they disavowed the entire process, claiming that they were used unfairly by anti-gay forces.

11. Mike Airhart, on October 23rd, 2007 at 6:12 pm Said:

    Source: National Black Justice Coalition

    Date: 10/23/2007

    From:

    H. Alexander Robinson
    NBJC Executive Director & CEO

    Over the weekend it was announced that U.S. presidential candidate,
    Sen. Barack Obama would participate in a gospel music tour titled
    “Embrace The Courage.”

    The three city event is an aggressive outreach towards black voters in
    South Carolina, a pivotal state in the upcoming presidential
    primaries.

    What is most shocking about this tour is the musical lineup which is
    headlined by the Rev. Donnie McClurkin, Mary Mary and Hezekiah Walker. Collectively these artists have spoken aggressively against the LGBT community without apology.

    We have a great deal of respect for Sen. Obama. He has good track
    record on LGBT issues, his willingness to take the lead on HIV/AIDS is
    significant and could represent a major boost to our efforts to combat
    the epidemic.

    In fact, with the exception of his support for civil unions for gay
    and lesbian couples over full marriage equality we are aligned with
    him on the significant issues of the day.

    However, for Sen. Obama to align himself with publicly anti-gay
    individuals is both hurtful and disappointing. Rev. Donnie Mclurkin
    once stated that he was at “war” with the LGBT community stating
    that:

    “The gloves are off and if there’s going to be a war, there’s going to
    be a war. But it will be a war with a purpose?.I’m not in the mood to
    play with those who are trying to kill our children.”

    The singing group Mary Mary during a Vibe Magazine interview stated
    that:

    “They [Gays] have issues and need somebody to encourage them like
    everybody else – just like the murderer, just like the one full of
    pride, just like the prostitute?”

    Finally, you should know that as of last night, we have been in touch
    with Obama’s campaign and NJBC is patiently waiting on a response
    today. And I will be sure to keep you updated on the developments.

    H. Alexander Robinson
    Chief Executive Officer
    National Black Justice Coalition

12. Jayelle Wiggins-Lunacharsky, on October 24th, 2007 at 12:26 pm Said:

    I doubt that people who aren’t invested in this debate even know about McClurkin being ex-gay, and he was hired as entertainment, not as a speaker about gayness and ex-gayness. He does have a nice voice. I’ll give Obama and his campaign the benefit of the doubt here…but also write a note and give him the opportunity to disavow certain statements of McClurkin’s.

13. Mike Airhart, on October 25th, 2007 at 7:29 pm Said:

    I just deleted a comment by “adam” since he hadn’t read the preceding content on this page, denied McClurkin’s history as an ex-gay, and ranted about off-topic issues such as pedophilia. (IOW, he was a troll.)

14. Emproph, on October 26th, 2007 at 5:56 am Said:

    I see Exodus has a press release up on the matter:

    “No individual should be excluded from participating in a political process that belongs to all Americans. Formerly gay identified men and women should be afforded the same rights without public condemnation for their personal decision to leave homosexuality. It is the responsibility of those who claim to support diversity and tolerance to demonstrate it by endorsing these ideals for all individuals regardless of political differences.”

    How exactly does the condemnation of the accusation of trying to kill children become a condemnation of self determination?

15. Majic, on October 30th, 2007 at 9:08 pm Said:

    First of all, I guess “strongly urging” to have Donnie dropped didn’t work. I think it was a bias request because it says gays want to be accepted for their belief (OK to be gay), but don’t want others to be accepted despite their beliefs (Not OK to be gay).

    I also think challenging African-American religious leaders is misleading. Gays ONLY challenge the Christian religion, because Muslims and Jews don’t accept them PERIOD. You would think that gays would appreciate Christianity for embracing them when the others don’t. Not going to happen though. You give a person an inch, you know the rest.

    People will have to be legally blind to believe that a person’s skin color can be compared to two people of the same gender having sex. Do you see how stupid that sounds? Oh, and FYI, what is even more stupid, it’s always compared to black skin, no other color. The trick is this—It’s like being black, why we would want the controversy? Good question.

    When it comes to God, he doesn’t approve of sex out of wedlock. Is there a such thing as a gay virgin? I’ll wait for the answer. Time’s up. I didn’t think so either. Homosexuality is about sex and that’s it. You can love people of the same gender, but CAN’T YOU KEEP YOUR LEGS CLOTHES? I hope no one does to your children what was done to Donnie as child.

    This is my conclusion, if all people want to bring their sexual issues to church, you have to accept the following 3 rules and warning.

    1. All adulterers, fornicators, masturbators, child molesters and homosexuals will have equal say, without being shut out.
    2. All of the issues must be brought up in the Mosques, Temples and Churches everywhere.
    3. You must also accept bestiality, because some people say they were born that way. It’s happening in Europe –> http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2005/may/25/broadcasting.radio

    Warning – Do not tell God that the religious people said “you can be gay.” Remember religious people don’t have a Heaven or Hell for you.

16. Island girl, on November 2nd, 2007 at 10:05 pm Said:

    Donnie Mcclurkin is correct, read Romans chapter 1. People let God be true and every man a liar!!

17. Emily K, on November 2nd, 2007 at 11:44 pm Said:

    Gays ONLY challenge the Christian religion, because Muslims and Jews don’t accept them PERIOD.

    Wrong.

18. Emproph, on November 3rd, 2007 at 12:47 am Said:

    Majic said:

    3. You must also accept bestiality, because some people say they were born that way.

    Bestiality >noun 1) savagely cruel and wicked behavior.

    So Majic, based on your comments above, do you feel that you were born bestial, or that it was a learned behavior?

19. Emproph, on November 3rd, 2007 at 12:54 am Said:

    Island girl said:

    Donnie Mcclurkin is correct, read Romans chapter 1. People let God be true and every man a liar!!

    If every [hu]man is a liar, wouldn’t that make you a liar when you say that “Donnie McClurkin is correct?”

20. Emily K, on November 3rd, 2007 at 1:53 am Said:

    And every man a liar means that those who claim to know God’s word best can never be trusted. Including Donnie McClurkin.

21. zortnac, on November 3rd, 2007 at 2:25 am Said:

    You can love people of the same gender, but CAN’T YOU KEEP YOUR LEGS CLOTHES?

    Leg clothing is awfully hard to keep a handle on. Seems I loose a good pair of pants every month or so.

22. Aaron, on November 3rd, 2007 at 3:12 am Said:

    Majic, so much to work with here.

    Some of us have no problem with Donnie being a part of Obama’s campaign, so don’t assume all gays think the same on the issue.

    Second, Jewish people can be pretty liberal about gay issues.

    Third, yes, there are gay virgins and have always been gay virgins.

    Last, I don’t know much about bestiality, but I did watch a documentary on it recently, Zoo, and people did not say they were always zooaphiles. In fact, many reported that it was because they became tired of dealing with human relationships. Many were attracted to a certain animal, and it was later in life. Are they born that way? I don’t know. Are gays? I have no idea. Are they comparable? Not at all.

23. Emproph, on November 3rd, 2007 at 5:51 am Said:

    MAJIC: “You can love people of the same gender, but CAN’T YOU KEEP YOUR LEGS CLOTHES?”

    ZORTNAC: “Leg clothing is awfully hard to keep a handle on. Seems I loose a good pair of pants every month or so.”

    Pants, of course! I knew I knew that phrase sounded familiar. Gosh I haven’t called my pants ‘legs clothes’ since I was in grade school.

    “Mom, I ripped my legs clothes again!”
    “Mom, I can’t go to school today, I’ve got a hole in my legs clothes!”
    “Mom, I need new legs clothes!”

    Memories.

24. Mike Airhart, on November 3rd, 2007 at 8:00 am Said:

    I don’t object to McClurkin participating in Obama’s campaign. I do object to him being given 30 minutes on a soapbox to shout out strawman arguments, to verbally abuse fellow members of Obama’s “big tent,” and to vent his unresolved anger and bitterness. A candidate that allows that can’t be very competent.

25. Boo, on November 3rd, 2007 at 8:38 am Said:

    Wait a minute… I can love people of the same gender platonically?! I don’t have to hump every gal I meet?!

    WHY DIDN’T ANYONE EVER TELL MEEEEEEE??!!!

    At least now the masturbators won’t have equal say, and can be shut out.

26. Emily K, on November 3rd, 2007 at 11:00 am Said:

    I am a gay virgin.

    My love for other girls has been profound and deep – even at times overpowering; paralyzing – but I am still a virgin.

27. David Roberts, on November 5th, 2007 at 1:21 am Said:

    The commenter using the name “majic” has been banned for being generally disgusting. Several recent comments in this thread were also deleted.

28. Joel, on November 6th, 2007 at 12:28 am Said:

    “Don’t worry, I’m not coming back to this forum, and you and all of your gay watch friends WILL BE banned from heaven forever. “

    Heh.. heaven. How do you argue from being banned from going nowhere? ANyways… What about zeus, mohammed, buddha, the Sun God, etc, dont they get a say in this heaven?… im sure those and many more have their own version of heaven, or not…

    Its okay, i don’t mind you believing in whatever you want to. I believed in Santa once.. now i don’t. But i sure as hell have nothing against ppl who believe in santa unless, of course, they start telling me how I MUST believe that santa rides on flying reindeers, and that I MUST write out the presents before christmas day… and that I MUST clean the chimney so he doesn’t get too angry if he gets too dirty. And to top it off, I get no presents if I dont do all of that .

    Heteros rape woman, does that mean every hetero male should be treated the same way?

    Is there a such thing as a gay virgin? I’ll wait for the answer. Time’s up. I didn’t think so either. Homosexuality is about sex and that’s it. You can love people of the same gender, but CAN’T YOU KEEP YOUR LEGS CLOTHES?

    But you didn’t give me anyone anytime to answer…so bigotedly tipical. Are you afraid of what the ‘lies’ you might find?

    As has been restated so many times but seems like you can’t get it through to make sense *shrug. Donnie’s ‘ex-gay’ belief is not what I and most, if not all, gay ppl here are against like you try and portray, it is his stance on gay ppl’s ‘belief’ that’s being opposed.