Statement from Senator Obama on Reverend McClurkin

A statement from Senator Obama:


"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."

Also, is he disinviting this guy for his tour or not?

a lot of us are upset over this.

Where did you hear/read this information?

I'm an Obama volunteer, and I was working at the local campaign office when Senator Obama's statement was released. The statement has been posted at the Obama website.

He forgot to say,

"PS: While I was thrown under the bus, I noticed that the front axle could use realignment."

www.barackobama.com

His campaign buried it deep.

Quote at the top of the page.
http://pride.barackobama.com/page/content/lgbthome

If Donnie's still on the lineup, it's moot.

Statement on Rev. McClurkin
"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 of 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."
~ Barack Obama
10/22/07



http://pride.barackobama.com/page/content/lgbthome

I'm glad Obama is doing something about this.

I called it, I said I would bet he makes a statement but keeps him on the tour.

I dunno how else he can diffuse it without it blowing up into a full MSM story, if he suddenly kicks a singer out after inviting him in the first place.

and then text-message in your vote over the weekend.

No?

Wrong show?

My bad.

Is this Donny McClurkin? What happened?

Now he's apparently apologizing but still touring with him.

I googled it and got the story. I just wish that folks would post some background with these types of links.

McClurkin was contracted to sing at one of the three gospel concerts this weekend, and Senator Obama will not be in attendance at the concerts.

And the concerts aren't "fundraisers". The $10.00 admission fee will cover the cost of renting the venues.


***** edited because I can't type to save my life........

He isn't raising money from this and he isn't appearing.

http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/scembrace

Tickets are just $10 and support Barack's historic, grassroots campaign for the Presidency.

Perhaps you could share your source for stating that these concerts aren't fundraisers?

From his website:

"Tickets are just $10 and support Barack's historic, grassroots campaign for the Presidency."

We need to carefully watch how Black America handles the issue of Gay rights.

There are too many folks within our community who absolutely bristle when the struggle for equal opportunity being waged by Gay American citizens is compared to the civil right struggles of Black America. And I think it is a very slippery slope we tread upon when I hear our people justify entrenched discrimination because somehow the cause of Gay Americans is "different"

Well it's not different!. At the end of the day, there is a group of law abiding, tax paying Americans who are being treated as "less than". And if we justify the treatment of homosexuals in this country and, even worse, absorb the mentality of the status quo, then it is just a matter of time when the the attention is turned to rolling back OUR rights.

Hell. Aren't nooses being displayed and hung on an all together uncomfortable pace in this country right now? But hey: "At least we aren't GAY". So we look the other way when Gay people are oppressed but can't connect the dots to see the more it becomes acceptable to squash their rights, the easier it will eventually be to squash ours.

And didn't McClurkin have some type of problems with a porn addiction?

Edited for Grammer

I've had people argue strenuously with me, offended that I'd compare the struggle for gay rights with other civil rights battles.

They're the same. Different circumstances, different leaders perhaps, but they're the same.

They are insulted by the parallel. You may not like it but it is a fact and it will take a long, long time before those feelings change. Quite possibly a whole generation.

They're welcome to their feelings, but that doesn't mean they're in any way right.

Discrimination is discrimination. And having suffered it oneself is never an excuse for practicing it against someone else.

Some things are simply wrong or right. If it takes a while for certain people to get there, then that's unfortunate. What I'm convinced of, though, is that they WILL get there. We as a society will get there.

Any time you go into religious communities of ANY race, you run the risk of finding people more strident about gays.

And there have been plenty of white liberals who have told the LBGT community over and over that they have to sit down and shut up.

And in Black America, the consequences are much, much more graver in adopting the ideology of certain segments of the White community.

The same Biblical arguments and the same bullshit rationale that is being used to deny Gay folks their just due parallels the same pattern of justification used to oppress Black people in the not too distant past.

marriage equality, Obama.

But this is a good step, and I'm glad to see it.

I"m afraid we'll all be majorly disappointed, if we think any action is going with these sentiments... He'll appear at the event, I am convinced.

It's a good first step, but I agree, words are just words at this point. Action means much more!

Until Obama severs ties with this bigot, then my respect is lost for Obama.