Obama Adds Gay Minister To Gospel Tour

Democrat Responds To Uproar From Gay Rights Groups Over Gospel Singer's Inclusion

(AP)  In response to an uproar from gay activists, Democrat Barack Obama's presidential campaign on Wednesday added a gay minister to the lineup for its weekend gospel tour.

Gay activists had criticized Obama's "Embrace the Change" tour in South Carolina because the performers included gospel singer Donnie McClurkin, who says homosexuality is a choice.

Obama's campaign invited Rev. Andy Sidden, a South Carolina pastor who is openly gay, to appear on Sunday in Columbia. Obama discussed Sidden's inclusion Thursday with Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign, which supports gay rights.

In a statement, Solmonese said he thanked Obama for including Sidden but told the Illinois senator he was disappointed McClurkin will remain part of the program.

"There is no gospel in Donnie McClurkin's message for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people and their allies," Solmonese said. "That's a message that certainly doesn't belong on any presidential candidate's stage."

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," but God turned him away from them.

Obama has spoken out against homophobia, including in the black community. He supports civil unions for same-sex couples but not the right for gay marriage.

[sftodd]

And I''''ll continue to wait for sftodd to back up his claims that we have shown "hatred" on these boards.
I''''ll also continue to wait for him to condemn his fellow homosexuals who were responsible for the most brutal murders in US history.
Posted by singinrick at 04:58 AM : Oct 26, 2007

I''d say that by comparing me to a mass murderer just because I''m gay, well, that''s about as hateful as one can get. Case closed on that. Now, as for your ridiculous arguments, well, Hitler was heterosexual. Are you going to condemn all heterosexuals for the holocaust? Or, are you one of the deniers who only believes the "facts" he wants to believe.

Rick, I forgive you for going about "casting stones" and spreading hatred as though you are not yourself a sinner. Let''s hope Jesus will also forgive you for your intellectual dishonesty and for your vigorous denial of his true message: love one another.

I don''t need to go down a list of all the horrible heterosexuals that ever lived and deliniate the people they murdered and the suffering they caused. First, I know that just because some heterosexuals have done some really gruesome and horrifying things, doesn''t mean that all heterosexuals are evil. Second, there''s not enough room on this page to list all the murders, crimes, etc. that have been committed by heterosexuals. Rick, your logic stinks. Case closed.

[realpatriot1]

It''s no wonder that our leaders play on division and dissension. When a politician tries to bring people together they''re ridiculed. What''s more, the Christians always seem to be among the first in line to cast the first stones.

People are so set in their divisive attitudes that they are actually hostile to the idea of bringing different viewpoints together.

No wonder the great American Empire is crumbling like the Roman Empire before it.

[gunnerv1]

''bama keeps shooting himself in the foot everytime I turn around!

[signof4]

''Watson, 79, was quoted on Oct. 14 in the Sunday Times of London saying that he is "inherently gloomy about the prospect of Africa" because "all our social policies are based on the fact that their intelligence is the same as ours -- whereas all the testing says not really."

Hear that, Ubama?

[prinzowhales]

No need to comment on this story...it will keep me laughing all day...

[signof4]

Ubama may as well start looking for ways to ''insert'' himself in to the next administration......cause it won''t be his.

[keithle1]

The folks who dig gospel will really be into the gay minister.

Christians are all about tolerance.

USA is better off because of Christianity.

Christians rule.

[sftodd]

Stick a fork in Obama. He''''''''s done. Posted by birthdaygir1 at 08:12 PM : Oct 25, 2007

I love it when conservatives quote Lou Reed; it''''s so cute. Speaking of Transgender, Lou Reed wrote "Take a Walk on The Wild Side":

Holly came from miami f.l.a.
Hitch-hiked her way across the u.s.a.
Plucked her eyebrows on the way
Shaved her leg and then he was a she
She says, hey babe, take a walk on the wild side
Said, hey honey, take a walk on the wild side

You go Birthday Girl!!! Who you gonna quote next, Pink Floyd?

[jankebenz]

Question? can a christian condone homosexuality,abortion,gay rights,same *** marriage, ect.
*************************
Of course they can.

Posted by kansas1946 at 11:57 PM : Oct 25, 2007

If so, does that mean that some of the new testament scriptures, the basis for christianity, have become irrelivant, i.e. the ones that say homosexuality is sin?

[kansas1946]

Question? can a christian condone homosexuality,abortion,gay rights,same *** marriage, ect.
*************************
Of course they can.