Gay Rights Group Criticizes Obama

Calls For Democratic Candidate To Cut Ties With Gospel Singer

(AP)  A gay rights group on Monday 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.

[gunownerdan]

"Armed *** don''t get bashed"
pinkpistols.org

[mudrose-2009]

Here we go again, special interests dictating their mandates to candidates. How can we respect these people that force their philosophies on candidates and therefore on the people? I personally wouldn''t vote for any of the lefties. They would betray all Americans in a heartbeat while they pander to any and all special interests.

[realpatriot1]

Gay activists should realize that regardless of whether or not they agree with the personal opinion of Rev. McClurkin, which he has a right to, that his message is one of love and acceptance for all people.

He believes that people can change and that we all have sins, but he preaches acceptance, not homophobia.
That''s the message he''ll be singing.


That''s why his music is at the top of my personal IPOD playlist.

[nexgen99]

Now that the *** have GLAAD. We can bring a class action damage suit against the gay community for the 10%u2019s of thousands of innocent heterosexuals who have died from HIV. The innocent men, woman and yes Babies and newborns who required blood transfusions or surgery or went to the dentist and then died from this plague on America. It''s time to shut up these creeps at GLAAD.

[sftodd]

It is a choice. A sordid, demented, and sick choice.
Posted by Hwy71So at 10:26 AM : Oct 23, 2007

Just like a typically ignorant American; ignore the science, but listen to your preacher. Tell me, Hwy71So, when your preacher whips the congregation up into a frenzy and everyone starts weeping and waiving their hands and the offering baskets come out and he tells you to give until it hurts, do you ever think for one second that just maybe he has a not-so-hidden agenda: to squeeze as much cash out of the unthinking emotional sheep as he can? I did, and I was only 8 years old when I came to that conclusion.

[simonsez40]

It is a choice. A sordid, demented, and sick choice.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by Hwy71So at 10:26 AM : Oct 23, 2007

It was your mom and dad''s sick and demented choice to give birth to you - you moron!

[simonsez40]

Ah the Bible Thumpers are all singing in unison here - first myth AIDS is a gay curse, that we can be cured, that the special interest pander to us.......pull your head out of your pick-up truck, turn off the NASCAR race on your TV, stop molesting you son Johnny and running down to the liquor store after the church service lets out........take off that Bubba and Sissy sticker off your truck and wake the heck up!

[hippychicky-2009]

Now that the *** have GLAAD. We can bring a class action damage suit against the gay community for the 10%u2019s of thousands of innocent heterosexuals who have died from HIV. The innocent men, woman and yes Babies and newborns who required blood transfusions or surgery or went to the dentist and then died from this plague on America. It''''s time to shut up these creeps at GLAAD.
Posted by nexgen99

How stupid can you be?
Some 80% of HIV infections are transmitted by heterosexual ***. Factors contributing to this include a lack of information about sexual health and HIV, low levels of condom use and high levels of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as chlamydia and gonorrhoea, which make it easier for the virus to be transmitted.

Blood transfusions are responsible for about 10% of all HIV infections.

Get your facts correct before you start slamming an entire community.

[hippychicky-2009]

Here we go again, special interests dictating their mandates to candidates. How can we respect these people that force their philosophies on candidates and therefore on the people? I personally wouldn''''t vote for any of the lefties. They would betray all Americans in a heartbeat while they pander to any and all special interests.
Posted by mudrose

Define special interest? The right to cover your spouse legally with insurance, the right to marry,the right to adopt in all states, the right to POA and medical issues, the right to equality for the masses.

Good lord, I think the straight people are a special interest group. Look at all they have, that they want to deny us.

[hippychicky-2009]

It is a choice. A sordid, demented, and sick choice.
Posted by Hwy71So

So sad for you that you box yourself in. I personally think hetero-*** is a sick choice. But, I think I speak for most of the LGBT community when I say, its not a choice. I didn''t wake up one day and say, umm..I am going to be gay today. Just like I am sure you didn''t wake up and say, today..I am going to be stupid...but its just a fact of life.

[trumpetstuff]

It is a choice. A sordid, demented, and sick choice.
------------------------------------------------------

Posted by Hwy71So at 10:26 AM : Oct 23, 2007

Please excuse me, sir/ma`am: You don`t know me and you don`t speak for me, nor do you speak for the millions of gay and lesbian people who, one way or another, came to terms with their orientation. Orientation is not a choice. I assure you: I made no "choice" about how I feel and to whom I`m attracted. It doesn`t work that way. We are who we are.

The only "choice" available to *** and lesbians is this: Do I accept myself as I am, or do I "stuff it," lie, and pretend to be straight to accommodate someone else`s non-acceptance? Trust me: The latter choice is a recipe for disaster.

[nexgen99]

hippychicky.... My facts are straight. Go look at the CDC reports. Of the 44 - 60 thousand new HIV caese occuring each year, over 70% are in the gay community and majority from gay mem having unprotected ***. You need to get your factts straight.

[simonsez40]

hippychicky.... My facts are straight. Go look at the CDC reports. Of the 44 - 60 thousand new HIV caese occuring each year, over 70% are in the gay community and majority from gay mem having unprotected ***. You need to get your factts straight.


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Posted by nexgen99

There is NOTHING I want do do STRAIGHT nexgen...........I pray you haven''t or don''t reproduce EVER.

[bobacorn]

This alleged group "Truth Wins Out" is a front for the right-wing hate machine. Don''t be fooled America !!

[simonsez40]

So nexgen women to women exposure is lower than any other group - so your theory wouldn''t apply to women homosexuals? We have the lowest STD, pregnancy and AIDS exposure rates in the world.

[nexgen99]

simonsez40 ........... Good I''ll put you on my list to add to the class action. And I do reproduce. And I don''t spread infectious disease either. So I%u2019ll pray you never reproduce EVER and that you continue to be a self exterminating member of your community.

[simonsez40]

Sorry you reproduced and you don''t have to add me to any list - and your stereotypical assumptions just show your ignorance and stupidity. I don''t spread any diseases have two children, have a MBA, make over 125K a year, live in an affluent neighborhood, I''m your neighbor and you don''t even know it......

Ignorance begats ignorance....your poor stupid children had no one to teach them better......

[simonsez40]

Hey nexgen I''m sitting next to you at work, on the subway, prepare your food, make your clothes, am your banker and most likely your priest........we are everywhere - that is what is so sad and pathetic that you live in a world shrouded in ignorance!

[simonsez40]

%u201CYou can safely assume that you''ve created God in your own image when it turns out that God hates all the same people you do.%u201D
Anne Lamott quotes

[hwy71so]

How sad to live a life of defeatism. I''m sure you never chose to lay with another. Any action is a choice. You have to the choice to enter the exit door or the enter door. You''re not forced through one or the other.

Incidentally, I do not attend one of those charismatic "churches" that distort the Word of God. I worship in accordance with the Bible. The preacher is just another member of the congregation. Its my obligation to study the Bible for its truth, not to listen to the preacher for his opinion.

I chose to marry my wife. She chose to take me as her husband.

How many children would there be if there was not a woman for a man, nor a man for a woman? Homosexuality is a choice against nature. It is genocide.

[simonsez40]

Here is my favorite quote and theory on the people that speak out the loudest against us - most are struggling with their own sexual identity or have already had an experience in their life....it''s called self-hate! Look at Sen. Craig - passed measures against homosexuals and yet he is one....

....why does anyone care what one another does in their own bedroom? What next the government patroling our bedrooms?

%u201CThose who hate most fervently must have once loved deeply; those who want to deny the world must have once embraced what they now set on fire.%u201D
MillyQueenie Kurt Tucholsky quotes

[nexgen99]

simonsez40... I am very happy for you. But you can%u2019t take away from the fact your community perpetrated this disease on America. And instead of having Gay Pride Day, maybe you can have Gay Remorse Day and take responsibility for your actions for once. Try having your community ask for forgiveness and you might be surprised at the response.

[simonsez40]

HWY I don''t live a life as a defeatist - again you make sweeping generalizations and stereotypical assumptions. Do I make those about you and your wife? Absolutely not.

Funny you throw in church - because I''m a Preacher''s Child and a Christian.....I live a fulfilled live in a monogamous and long-term relationship. My life has been blessed and I walk with my lord everyday.......

Who are you to judge anything I do - in my church that judgement is left when I go to meet my maker......apparently in your church you don''t have those teachings?

[hippychicky-2009]

My facts are straight. Go look at the CDC reports. Of the 44 - 60 thousand new HIV caese occuring each year, over 70% are in the gay community and majority from gay mem having unprotected ***. You need to get your factts straight.
Posted by nexgen99

You can''t even spell facts. I am a nurse, I see day in and day out the populations that are affected by this horrible disease.
A new study of the oldest known case of HIV shows that the virus jumped from animals to humans in the 1940s. In Africa. Its not a gay disease, it affects people from all walks of life.

[simonsez40]

simonsez40... I am very happy for you. But you can%u2019t take away from the fact your community perpetrated this disease on America. And instead of having Gay Pride Day, maybe you can have Gay Remorse Day and take responsibility for your actions for once. Try having your community ask for forgiveness and you might be surprised at the response.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by nexgen99

Lets take a look at the entire HETERO population NEXGEN - are you responsible for spreading STD''s? Did you perpetuate that 4 out of 10 children are born out of wedlock? Are you solely responsible for the over 50% divorce rate?

No - take a look at your population - so put those same measures on heterosexuals buddy. You can''t look at one diverse group and blame one thing on the entire section. Again ignorance.........

I''d be embarrassed too my ''super straight man''.....I''d be embarrassed of the mockery and shame you''ve made of the National Institution ''MARRIAGE.'' Perhaps you should have a Shame on Straight People Day?

[hippychicky-2009]

So nexgen women to women exposure is lower than any other group - so your theory wouldn''''t apply to women homosexuals? We have the lowest STD, pregnancy and AIDS exposure rates in the world.
Posted by simonsez40

Good point! So tell us nexgen what do you say to that?

[simonsez40]

Shall we get into the Pedophile and Rape figures? The majority of these crimes are perpetuated by straight males - I''d be embarassed to be a part of the male race? Wow what a wonderful world it would be to rid ourselves of those two brutal crimes.

If you''d like I can print out some statistics here......

[simonsez40]

nexgen its the heterosexual males fault for rape and incest.....I believe I''d have a ''Shame on men'' day....

Over 90% is attributed to straight males.

[nexgen99]

hippychicky.... I said according to the CDC reports gay men where responsible for the majority of new HIV cases. Not gay women.

[hippychicky-2009]

How sad to live a life of defeatism. I''''m sure you never chose to lay with another. Any action is a choice.
Posted by Hwy71So

So you consciously made the "choice" to be straight, that was your big ambition in life. So sad for you.
Better start praying to your God, maybe there is still time to fix you.

[simonsez40]

Do you want me to keep on going nexgen - let''s put your theory on the heterosexual population......lets put the same measures you attribute to homosexuals on the straight population? Funny we can find the same results huh?

Turn the finger around........you are no better, no more Christian and no better in God''s eyes.

[simonsez40]

hippychicky.... I said according to the CDC reports gay men where responsible for the majority of new HIV cases. Not gay women.


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Posted by nexgen99

So nexgen are you saying lesbian woman (homosexual women) aren''t a curse like men? What is your point here?

[hippychicky-2009]

The CDC reports many things, they are a news affiliated group. They also have an agenda. Science is ever changing, it broadens daily. Today''s fact maybe tomorrow''s myth. The reason they throw gay men under the bus is because on a whole scale they are having *** more often.
So I am sorry you are straight and aren''t getting any.

[nexgen99]

Posted by nexgen99

So nexgen are you saying lesbian woman (homosexual women) aren''''t a curse like men? What is your point here?


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Posted by simonsez40

===================
The point is who are the largest population of individuals spreading new cases of HIV and that''s gay men having unprotected ***. And as to your comment of pedophiles , they should all be either exterminated or locked up for life, because they are repeat offenders and children never recover from this type of abuse.

[hwy71so]

The human union should be a monogomous Man/Woman union, united in wedlock for life. There should be no deviation. These adulterers of which you speak? These who unite out of wedlock? They''re no better or worse than the homosexual.

Anyway, as to homosexuality, there can still be no reproduction without the union of a man and a woman. Anything beyond that is selfgratification without regard to the future of mankind.

Single parents who have chosen to be single parents? How inconsiderate of the children! "Accidental" parenthood? The fact is, these people do not want to be responsible for their actions. They want society to cater to them and not them to society. Abortion? Instead of standing up and taking responsibility for their actions, they are terminating the results; trying to hide their indiscretion.

[nexgen99]

The CDC reports many things, they are a news affiliated group. They also have an agenda. Science is ever changing, it broadens daily. Today''''s fact maybe tomorrow''''s myth. The reason they throw gay men under the bus is because on a whole scale they are having *** more often.
So I am sorry you are straight and aren''''t getting any.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by hippychicky

=========================================

Yeah, and when two gay men can produce life via rump riding you give me a call. I really want to see that.

[hwy71so]

If you can''t judge an action, then there can be no growth. Judging a person is left to God.

[simonsez40]

nexgen - I''m not defending gay men - their sexual habits and various partners disgust me. This too is a sub-section within the gay world. I just don''t want to be included into the section you speak of.......and to be added to any stereotype......

We agree on the pedophiles............I can respect anyone''s opinion as long as they are open to hear mine.

[nexgen99]

simonsez40... Thank you for your comments and I don''t include you in the sub culture of your community just as I don''t include all priests with the few whom are rotten. I believe you%u2019re a good person and a good mother and how you choose to live your life is your business. My point all along was not an attack on you but on a specific group who continue to create problems for other%u2019s and refuse to acknowledge.

[titocordero]

Look no one cares what 2 consenting adults do behind closed doors but and speaking about homosexuality don''t expect
1)Don''t expect a Christian public, community or nation for that matter to condone what you do.

2)Don''t expect any government I can elect to subsidize this aberration by passing laws making it legal for people of the same *** to marry and share the same benefits and rights as a marriage between a man and a woman.

[sftodd]

I''''m not defending gay men - their sexual habits and various partners disgust me. Posted by simonsez40 at 12:23 PM : Oct 23, 2007

Your ignorance and stupidity disgusts rational intelligent human beings, but we still tolerate you.

[realpatriot1]

hippychicky is correct, AIDs is not a gay disease it''s a human disease effecting all walks of life.

Don''t blame it on gay ***, blame it on bestiality because that''s how it began. It''s now being spread among and by all populations.

Ryan White was ostracized after contracting it from a hospital tranfusion and similar ignorance and intolerance is still alive today.

If people want to believe that being gay is a choice they have that right, but no one has the right to discriminate or cast stones against others whose moral and life choices they don''t agree with. Rev. McClurkin is not doing that, but some here are.

Accusing someone of molesting their child because you don''t like their point of view is no better than homophobia.

We all fall short in our lives in one way or another and therefore none of us is in a position to pass judgement upon others.

Make your own piece with your savior and let others make theirs. If you think sexuality is a choice then make the choice that''s right for you and then you''ve done your part. As Rev. McClurkin preaches and sings, God is full of mercy and no matter where you''ve been, no matter what you''ve done, he''s full of mercy.

We need to emulate that the best that we can.

[ciscocruiser]

McClurkin''s right. Everything is a matter of choice. Tell me that some middle-aged housewife who befriends some other chick, and their tears and hugs turn to unbridled passion didn''t have a choice to not do it. *** feels good. Period. It is just a matter of who you are doing it with. That is your choice. If you believe it is wrong, you can stop. Just because something feels good does not make it right.

[jankebenz]

The reason for sexual perversion and the resulting deseases can be found in the book of truth, romans 1:18-32. Read it and be enlightened.

[sftodd]

The reason for sexual perversion and the resulting deseases can be found in the book of truth, romans 1:18-32. Read it and be enlightened.
Posted by jankebenz at 12:58 PM : Oct 23, 2007

The reason for superstitious beliefs is a combination of ignorance and fear. You are reading a book written by men who claimed to speak for God. It appeals to you because it quiets the fears you have about the human condition. Think about it and be enlightened.

[jankebenz]

The truth is painfull to thoes it affects

[Krazcarl]

Does anyone besides me get sick of g*ys trying to tell everyone how to think what and who even who to associate with. This they have no choice is a lie they may have a preference but they have a choice now there even looking to genetics for an excuse for their perversion. I care less what grown people do behind closed door not my problem. This is a alternate lifestyle yea so is heroin addiction. To me it''s just sexual deviant behavior and it''s not normal or we would die off as a species. I know children {grown} that were raised by g*ys there messed up puppies most g*y or bisexual themselves.

[hwy71so]

If one can''t see how incorrect this perversion is, then there''s no use trying to convince him/her otherwise. Facts are facts. Their denial is merely for the sake of self justification. Inside, they know the truth.

I''ve said my piece.

[mike71067]

"Gay rights"?? How about "special rights".

[condumism]

hopetrumps, are you saying you prefer this type of Candidate? Mitt Romney managed to avoid the troubles of the Vietnam war when his daddy, a Mormon big cheese, certified boy Mitt as a "preacher man" because he was handing out the usual Mormon crock door to door. This was Mitts service to his country during the draft prone Vietnam affair. Now Mitts 4 sons are helping his fathers presidential bid. Mitt recently touted this as his sons service to their country to get him elected, similar to US soldiers serving in Iraq. Seems to me were dealing with a family of cowards, swindlers, and used car salesmen.

Or how about this guy? Fred Thompson, a career lobbyist, represents everything that is wrong with Washington. Hes the corporations and special interests wet dream. If you like Bush, youll just love Thompson. If you like government by the corporation, of the corporation and for the special interests, hes your man.

Or perhaps the facade of "Rudy the 9/11 Hero"? As in any braindead society as the USA has become since 1981, the lies of the Corporate media are eventually exposed. This leaves a Mormon Cult member as the new front runner for the 2008 GOP nomination. Not even Southern hypocrits will be able to support a Mormon. Seems as though these Repuglicons are finally getting their due as the party with no direction, except to scare the hell out of their braindead base of lying, self-centered fools.