There have been a few threads about Barack Obama and the Donnie McClurkin incident. McClurkin had performed at one concert in Columbia, South Carolina and Obama was not present at the event, which is not what some have decided was the bet way to lie about the event.
Here is some video of the event where McClurkin performed:
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/politics/2007/10/29/mcclurkin.speech.cnnFor those of you that haven’t seen the video, please watch it.
Andy Sidden, an openly gay South Carolina pastor, opened the concert with his comments about how homophobia is not good. Some feel he wasn't on stage long enough, but the fact is that he opened the concert with his statements.
Obama did give a statement about McClurkin's views:
"I have clearly stated my belief that gays and lesbians are our brothers and sisters and should be provided the respect, dignity, and rights of 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.
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."
http://pride.barackobama.com/page/content/lgbthomeHere are some highlights to Obama’s dozen years as a legislator regarding working for LGBT rights:
Expand Hate Crimes Statutes:In 2004, crimes against homosexuals constituted the third-highest category of hate crime reported and made up more than 15 percent of such crimes. Barack Obama cosponsored legislation that would expand federal jurisdiction to reach violent hate crimes perpetrated because of race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, or physical disability. As a state senator, Obama passed tough legislation that made hate crimes and conspiracy to commit them against the law.
Fight Workplace Discrimination:Barack Obama believes the Employment Non-Discrimination Act should be expanded to include sexual orientation. While an increasing number of employers have extended benefits to their employees’ domestic partners, discrimination based on sexual orientation in the workplace occurs with no federal legal remedy. Obama also sponsored and passed legislation in the Illinois State Senate that would ban employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.
Promote Gay and Lesbian Rights:Barack Obama supported legislation in the Illinois State Senate to prevent discrimination based on sexual orientation in housing and public accommodations.
Support Full Civil Unions:Barack Obama supports civil unions that give gay couples full rights, including the right to assist their loved ones in times of emergency, the right to equal health insurance and other employment benefits currently extended to traditional married couples, and the same property rights as anyone else.
Oppose a Constitutional Ban on Gay Marriage:Barack Obama voted against the Federal Marriage Amendment in 2006 which would have defined marriage as between a man and a woman and prevented judicial extension of marriage-like rights to same-sex or other unmarried couples. “We are better than this. And we certainly owe the American people more than this. I know that this amendment will fail, and when it does, I hope we can start discussing issues and offering proposals that will actually improve the lives of most Americans.” (Barack Obama on the Senate floor regarding the Federal Marriage Amendment, June 5, 2006)
Repeal Don’t Ask-Don’t Tell:Barack Obama agrees with former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff John Shalikashvili and other military experts that we need to repeal the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy in consultation with military commanders. The key test for military service should be patriotism, a sense of duty, and a willingness to serve. Discrimination should be prohibited. The U.S. government has spent millions of dollars replacing troops kicked out of the military because of their sexual orientation. Additionally, more than 300 language experts have been fired under this policy, including more than 50 who are fluent in Arabic. Obama will work with military leaders to repeal the current policy and ensure it helps accomplish our national defense goals.
Expand Adoption Rights:Barack Obama believes that homosexuals should have the same adoption rights as heterosexuals.
Fight AIDS Worldwide:There are 40 million people across the planet infected with HIV/AIDS. Every day, AIDS kills 8,000 and HIV infects 6,000 more people. The disease is set to become the third-leading cause of death worldwide in the coming years. Barack Obama has been a global leader in the fight against AIDS. He traveled to Kenya and took a public HIV test to encourage testing and reduce the stigma of the disease.
Promote AIDS Prevention:Barack Obama believes that we cannot ignore that abstinence and fidelity may too often be the ideal and not the reality. Obama went to a large evangelical conference in 2006 to promote greater investment in the global AIDS battle. At this conservative Christian event, Obama pushed for a balanced approach to fighting the disease that includes condom distribution. In late 2006, Barack Obama worked to reauthorize the Ryan White CARE Act, which is one of the largest sources of federal funds for primary health care and support services for patients with HIV/AIDS. The bill was named after Ryan White, an Indiana teenager whose courageous struggle with HIV/AIDS helped educate the nation.
Empower Women to Prevent HIV/AIDS:In the United States, the percentage of women diagnosed with AIDS has quadrupled over the last 20 years. Today, women account for more than one quarter of all new HIV/AIDS diagnoses. Barack Obama introduced the Microbicide Development Act, which will accelerate the development of products that empower women in the battle against AIDS. Microbicides are a class of products currently under development that women apply topically to prevent transmission of HIV and other infections.
http://www.outfordemocracy.org/obama.htmhttp://www.sovo.com/2007/5-25/Obama.pdf As a heterosexual who has done 6 AIDS rides in tribute to my uncle who lost a battle to AIDS and one who has actively participated in grassroots efforts relating to LGBT issues over the years, I wish the McClurkin thing never happened.
Do I know what it’s like being gay? I have a gay brother who I’ve helped out when he was doubting his sexuality and facing being demonized by my other family members.
I saw and held my uncle, who died of AIDS, when he passed away and decided that I would make it a mission to help on LGBT issues, namely doing AIDS rides in his honor. I think about his last moments on this Earth on a nearly daily basis. I can see him looking at me as his life faded from his body.
I have many friends and neighbors who are gay and frankly, I don’t even look at them as “gay”. They are just good, decent, honest, hard-working people.
I do understand Barack's point that you have to engage with people who are homophobic to make them see their faults on the issue. I do look at his record on civil rights for all people which is proven and verifiable and know that he is not a homophobe and certainly represents the best chances of actually working on LGBT issues and perhaps starting with getting civil unions as a national standard.
I post this mostly because I feel that some use the McClurkin event on almost a McCarthyistic approach. After looking at Obama’s proven record on LGBT issues over a dozen years (and more) and seeing how the unfortunate events with McClurkin’s one performance with other bands on one night, I just find it incredibly transparent that some people are willing to condemn both he and his supporters as homophobic.
In my view, it is exactly like Joe McCarthy condemning someone who once went to a Communist or socialist meeting ONCE and declaring them an enemy of the country and a communist that should be arrested and thrown in prison. If this seems like a strong statement, it is meant to be.
Was the McClurkin event something I am proud of? No. Was it hurtful to the LGBT community? Possibly and maybe so. Does it mean that Obama is a homophobe and/or are his supporters? Absolutely not.
Obama talks about keeping dialogue with those that may not agree with you or I politically (and I consider homophobia political as well as the wrong side of spiritual). How do you change the opinion of a person who sees things the wrong way but through dialog? How do we advance as a country without engaging everyone who is part of the puzzle?
I hope that those who disagree with the McClurkin event open their eyes to the whole picture in an honest way. Accusing me of being a homophobe because I want to address this issue head on is a copout.
It’s not that I think we should “move on” on the issue. It is that we should do exactly as Obama stated and engage in discussion with people who are homophobes and get them to see the best way to go forward.