Obama's "Embrace the Change!" tour goes anti-gay as Senator's "favorite" singer unleashes onstage

[Bluebear]

Protesters from the South Carolina Gay and Lesbian Pride Movement, lead by Bruce Coverse, front, march silently outside the Township Auditorium, in Columbia, S.C., Sunday, Oct. 28, 2007 during a gospel concert promoting the Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill. Donnie McClurkin, a Grammy-winning singer whose role in a Barack Obama campaign event riled gay activists served as master of ceremonies of a gospel concert promoting Obama.

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Mr. McClurkin is the preacher who had said he was gay but was “cured” through prayer and tonight he was the star act in a parade of star acts, which included the Mighty Clouds.

His inclusion had drawn public criticism from gay activists who wanted Mr. Obama to cancel his appearance. Mr. Obama did not, but issued a statement a few days ago saying he strongly disagrees with Mr. McClurkin’s views and that he has tried to address what he called the homophobia among some black voters.

Tonight there was a small vigil of about 15 or 20 gays and lesbians, who stood quietly across the street as people filed into a big auditorium here for the last of three campaign-sponsored concerts (and the only one to feature Mr. McClurkin). The whole controversy might have been forgotten in the swell of gospel sound except Mr. McClurkin turned the final half hour of the three-hour concert into a revival meeting about the lightning rod he has become for the Obama campaign.

He approached the subject gingerly at first. Then, just when the concert had seemed to reach its pitch and about to end, Mr. McClurkin returned to it with a full-blown plea: “Don’t call me a bigot or anti-gay when I have suffered the same feelings,” he cried.

“God delivered me from homosexuality,” he added. He then told the audience to believe the Bible over the blogs: “God is the only way.” The crowd sang and clapped along in full support.

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/10/29/obamas-gospel-concert-tour/

[AndyTiedye]

1. BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

[Richard Steele]

2. What is the sound of one campaign CRASHING and BURNING?

Obama, nice knowing you. Bye-bye now. :hi:

[progpen]

3. Huh.

Not surprising, just interesting.

[MADem]

4. God delivered me from homosexuality

Ohhhhh KAAAAAY....

Here's my question to Closet McLurkin--How much did the RNC pay you, there, Donnie? Is that how you knock ten points off an approval rating, with five short words?

This just could NOT have been worse.

A few days ago, I suggested that Obama find a way to disinvite the guy nicely: have him get a sore throat, for example. No harm, no foul. Make it GO AWAY.

And now, this.

It's almost as if Donnie's attitude is that this whole event was all about HIM, with Obama as the sideshow.

In any event, that was a massive campaign mistake, and more than a few people said it would be--they turned out to be correct.

[RB TexLa]

5. He got pictures of whites protesting a black man's campaign in South Carolina

He can disavow the stuff later.

I'm sure this is how the plan was set to go.

[book_worm]

6. Was his comments made at a concert for Obama?

[Bluebear]

7. Yes they were. At the Obama "Embrace the Change!" concert last night.

[helderheid]

13. unfuckingbelievable!

:wow:

[mondo joe]

8. Well I've written off Obama. NT

[Terran]

9. Obama must be a fool

to allow a controversy like that into his campaign. Apologies to his supporters, but it's just incredibly stupid. Regardless of how he personally feels about the issue, there was no reason for his campaign to *appear* to take a stand on that issue (of "curing" homosexuality), because in all likelihood, no one would have ever asked him about it.

[vi5]

10. Well, nice knowing ya Obama...

Obviously same as all the rest I'll support him if he's the nominee. But this has seriously, seriously soured me on him. I mean watching how he and his people have handled this has convinced me he would do poorly against the right wing attack machine that is going to be pointed at our nominee.

[Didereaux]

11. Obama, idiot-at-large n/t

[helderheid]

12. Holy fuck! (no pun intended)

[Carni]

14. I have thought from the get go

That Obama was a little too religiousy/gospelish for my tastes--now I see why I was under that impression.

Aside from the fact that I think the message of this McClurkin guy is offensive...
(I am a straight, married woman, but I cannot imagine that anyone would be so STUPID and insensitive as to tell gay people to look to the bible to be *cured*--WTF?) I think Obama must be one very unsavvy campaigner to allow this kind of crap into his stump speeches and campaign rallies.

What the hell is the man thinking?

[Solly Mack]

15. McClurkin delivered Obama from votes...speaking of being delivered

[Bluerthanblue]

16. can i ask this without being crucified?

what would you have Obama do?

It does seem that the whole issue of Mcclurkens sexuality- and his claim, that sexuality is something that can be 'chosen' became "THE MESSAGE" as a result of all the publicity it engendered among people who are neither Obama supporters, or people who would choose to listen to "the Mighty Clouds". Personally, for what it is worth, I think he's wrong about our sexuality being something a person has any real choice about. And I can understand how his claim of being 'healed' of his homosexuality would be disturbing, frustrating, and painful.

Mcclurken's words, as reported in this article, are words i'm not unfamiliar with. I've heard the same mantra applied to my own life on several occasions, not in terms of my sexuality- but in regards to my physical health- my mental health- and my personal relationships and struggles through some pretty awful times. The pain of being told that you can become something other than what you know yourself to be, simply by "letting god" do _____ or change you, or another person- can be overwhelming. I can't defend or excuse Mcclurken's position. I don't believe there really is any 'defense'-

The question then becomes, what would be the best response? If we marginalize, reject, ostracize people who hold beliefs and live lives that conflict with our own, what does that make us?- Do we require that it be 'our way or the highway'? Obama has been very clear about his disagreement with Mclurken on this issue- should he then have rejected this man based on his 'sexuality'? Because when you come right down to it- that is what rejecting him would be doing-.

I'm not trying to minimize the reality of the persecution and oppression that i KNOW my gay and lesbian brothers and sisters in this world struggle with. I do realize there is a very destructive and deadly hatred which is alive in this nation. I don't defend that mindset- I don't embrace it or seek to enable it.

Beneath it all though, is a man- a man who has endured some pretty difficult times in his life- a man who thinks he's been 'cured'- Can you imagine being him? In a strange kind of way I can- betraying myself, to be 'accepted' - 'loved'- 'included' was my MO most of my life. No matter what the cost-
It's a lousy bargain.

Please consider the possibility that the way we ...'live'... our lives- dictates at least in some ways, how we desire others to treat us. If we come into situations always on the defensive, we are likely to be challenged. If we are at peace with who we are and are not looking for others to give us permission to be ourselves, we stand a much better chance of being met with respect-. And when we are met with rejection, at least it isn't because we've sold ourselves out.

I'm sorry for the pain this whole issue has brought up for everyone. I wish we could use it as an opportunity to learn and grow-

peace~

[Bluebear]

17. Obama did not need to make him the frigging MC of the event.

Obama used anti-gay bigotry as a campaign tool and it's disgraceful.

[Bluerthanblue]

19. are you really sure that

Obama desired to 'use' Mcclurken's perspective on homosexuality for his own gain?

I agree that his being MC only made things worse- I don't believe he really intended to use this man's sexuality to promote his presidential campaign. I could be wrong- so could you. The only one who really knows that would be Obama.

peace~

[Neecy]

18. oh, no no no no

Obama has been very clear about his disagreement with Mclurken on this issue- should he then have rejected this man based on his 'sexuality'? Because when you come right down to it- that is what rejecting him would be doing-.

Personally, I don't care about his 'sexuality'. I DO care that he's an anti-gay bigot out to inflame and incite. I do care that a Democratic politician is hitching his wagon to this particular star.

I'm soooooo angry about this. I've donated money to the Obama campaign and the very least I expected is not to be offended and insulted like this. GodDAMN it!!!!

[Bluerthanblue]

20. I'm sorry that

you feel so betrayed- and that this has made you so angry.

This man wasn't initially scheduled to do anything other than sing was he? People wanted him removed from the program not because of his music, but because of his 'having been cured' and his stand on homosexuality. Is that not rejecting a person for being a.... gay man who denies himself?

Do you have a link or any more information about his full remarks that the linked article only summarizes? His words sound to me like someone who is desperate for acceptance- so desperate that they would be willing to betray themself, in exchange for the approval of others.

Please consider this possiblity.

This doesn't negate your legitimate frustration, anger and pain in response to his claim that he is 'healed'- He didn't need healing from his sexuality. He needs to love himself just as he is.

don't mean to hurt or offend you-

I wish you peace~

blu

[Neecy]

21. you didn't hurt or offend me...

But having this man campaign for Obama certainly does.

Again, I don't care that he claims to have been 'cured'. That isn't my issue, it's his. And if that was the end of it, I'd feel mildly sorry for him and wonder when he's going to have sex with a man again...because he most certainly will. There IS no 'cure'. I don't care that he feels he needs 'aceptance' or whatever else ails his frail psyche. Don't care. Not a bit.

My issue is his hate speech - period. My issue is that Obama has silently endorsed it by allowing this man at one of his events. And I'm tired TO DEATH of Democratic politicians asking us for money and votes and then treating us like shit (ref: Bill Clinton and DOMA, DODT).

This was totally unnecessary, and all it's doing is widening the divide between African-Americans and the gay community - and believe me, we know we're not very well liked as it is. One would hope Obama would try to bridge this divide - that was my hope - and not inflame it. Guess that was too much to hope for.

[Bluerthanblue]

22. well, I'm

grateful that you are willing to discuss this, and not see my questioning as an attack- because it honestly isn't.

I may be very ignorant, but I really don't hear the 'hate' speech- per se from Mcclurken- I understand that his claim that he was healed implies that he was 'sick'- or in need of fixing- which could be offensive, but hate directed at people who are homosexuals??? Am I missing this?

Also, you said you hoped Obama would try to 'bridge the divide' how would you have wished he could have done this? If he had 'un-invited' Mcclurken, how would that have helped the divide become smaller or less alienating?

How are people going to come to a place of mutual respect and be able to live together if we shun those who do not live lives in concert with ours, or who believe differently than we do?-

Rejecting the concept of "healing homosexuality" wouldn't be wrong (Imo) - rejecting a performer who believes he has been healed, and that healing is possible, - who was asked to sing- not give a discourse on sexuality would be bigoted and wrong (Imo) again. for what its worth.

this whole world seems to be so full of indignation and alienation.

It gets harder to believe there really is a future worth working towards.


I won't keep bugging you- thanks for taking the time to exchange thoughts.
peace~

[Karenina]

23. "Healing homosexuality" is religious bigotry

Nothing more, nothing less. Donnie is still GAY. He's the Gospel Music scene's Ted Haggard. All we need now is a pic with a time stamp to put this vicious hypocrisy to rest.

Donnie, like Michael Jackson, is an "open secret." It's ALL SUCH DESTRUCTIVE BULLSHIT.