McClurkin hangs tough at Obama concert

The "Reverend" Andy

Guess he didn't slap anyone with his rosaries.  No mention of his opening prayer or being a white man.

Make alot of noise. Life is short.

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by: Charley6 @ Mon Oct 29, 2007 at 07:58:18 AM CDT

I want to see what Obama does

But if he does nothing, that's one candidate that comes off my who I can vote for list. 

It's one thing to hem and haw over same-sex marriage, it's quite another to allow someone to attack GLBT people while you pay them for it.

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by: Phil @ Mon Oct 29, 2007 at 10:08:14 AM CDT

missing

missing from Alvin's observations are lesbians in the protest or audience.  i would expect him to be more tuned in to gay guys, but should we be concerned that "the gay witness" only mentioned women as marriage partners to closeted gay men? 

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by: Lurleen @ Mon Oct 29, 2007 at 11:03:12 AM CDT

maybe, but

he could just have terrible lesbian gaydar. A lot of gay men couldn't pick a lesbian out of a crowd at Home Depot much less a concert venue. Of course, it would be nice to think that women have better sense than to participate in things like this. I notice that it's always the men that are in the re-closeted news. Maybe the women are just better at hiding and not getting caught, maybe they have more strength to resist this BS to begin with.

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by: vanitysmurf @ Mon Oct 29, 2007 at 11:23:25 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

slap in the face

 

I'm a gay white male and didn't have a problem with McClurkin appearing in the concert, however, I did not think he'd be allowed to pontificate from the stage like he did. The campaign has to be furious with him at this point that he chose to rattle off the way he did. He undoubtedly was given indications on what sort of language he might want to avoid. For those of us in the LGBT community, McClurkin's "We're here. We're here and we're glad we're here," is a sarcastic direct slap in the face, mocking "we're here, we're queer..." While I welcome constructive and mature discussions of differences, McClurkin's comments at a campaign event were not.

Will this effect my support for Obama? no, as what matters to me is a LONG record of legislative/policy support. I want my rights and I want them now, and I think he's most likely to deliver them.   I too am waiting to see what Obama has to say about this.

 

The LGBT community seems to have amnesia with regards to the Clintons. And yes, Hillary IS running on her experience during the clinton years, so she's responsible for what happened. What did Bill Clinton do when he was running for re-election? he ran radio spots on Christian Radio stations bragging about his support for DOMA http://thetaskforce.org/press/releases/pr171_101896

 

B. Clinton and for a LONG time (until it was politically non feasible) H. Clinton supported DOMA. http://thetaskforce.org/press/releases/pr177_092396

 

And Hillary's reason for supporting DOMA, it was a strategic decision to repel the constitutional amendment http://empirezone.blogs.nytimes.com/2006/10/26/hillary-on-gay-marriage-2/

Then why was it used a re-election tool?

 

Obama has always been against DOMA and he hasn't run hateful radio ads!   Now the question is, will he respond to hate when it's spoken at his own campaign event.

 

 

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by: timinchicago @ Mon Oct 29, 2007 at 12:24:05 PM CDT

Absolutely right. But,

I don't think any candidate is going to be perfect.  Obama's record is better than Bill Clinton's.  We have to look at Hilliary's record (not her paying lip service to her husband's record), as well as looking at all the candidates track record.

But it's important to note that support or opposition to same-sex marriage is very different from attacking people.  We also needs to look at Hilliary's voting record, as opposed to her husband's. 

Frankly, I doubt any candidate is going to be perfect for the GLBT community.  Certainly, at least from my perspective a Democrat is preferred, even though we may have to hold our nose (or at least wear lots of cologne) while we vote for them.  But it beats having to wear a hazmat suit with a respirator while we vote for a Republican.

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by: Phil @ Mon Oct 29, 2007 at 13:20:36 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Here's what's going on:

Joshua DuBois, Obama's Director of Religious Affairs is a pastor at  a Pentecostal church in Massachusetts. he is a self-described evangelical.

Here's what he looks like:

 

 

This is the guy who hired McClurkin, also a pentecostal btw, and this is the guy who tried to get the gay white pastor, Andy Sidden off the air when he was supposed to get on Signorile's how. 

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by: SinChapelHill @ Mon Oct 29, 2007 at 12:51:05 PM CDT

Bring Him Down

It's not enough to simply refuse to support Obama at this point. If you are gay or lesbian, you must work to deny him the Democratic nomination. If there is no price to be paid for homophobia, even in the Democratic party, we are truly lost.

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by: myroro @ Mon Oct 29, 2007 at 13:11:44 PM CDT

I agree with this

I was leaning towards Obama up until this happened. I know there is no perfect LGBT candidate, and I don't expect perfection. Politics isn't like that. I intend to back whoever wins the Dem nomination, but at this point, even though she isn't the perfect LGBT cadidate, I plan to support Hillary now. Edwards lost me a while back with his seeming uneasiness with the ick factor of gay people, and the fact that he is still sort of influenced by southern baptist thought patterns regarding LGBT issues.

Obama has now lost me too, due to his refusal to get this homophobe off his team.

I'm supporting Hillary, knowing full well she isn't the be-all for our cause. She has a strong chance to win, and we HAVE to beat the Republicans in 08. 

"The right most treasured by civilized men is the right to be let alone."--Justice Louis Brandeis

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by: Sadness @ Mon Oct 29, 2007 at 13:39:21 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Who's buying that McClurkin's anti-gay activism was unknown?

Who's buying that the Obama campaign were unaware of the existence of Google? Who's that gulliable? Obama can make a fool out of you, but he's not going to make a fool out of me.  He knew all about McClurkin, this was planned, he sold us down river. I hate that back-stabber and will never vote for him in my life.

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by: Johnny @ Mon Oct 29, 2007 at 14:21:59 PM CDT

I knew it..

I hypothesized that Sidden was a sellout for going on there to shut the gays up about the whole thing.

And from all the reports it seems I was unfortunately right. How does it feel to sellout the gay community rev?

You know what, Obama must think that just because he's a Democrat, that us homos will vote for him even if he wins the primary without our votes.

Well, he can kiss my perfectly tan gay butt.

No votes for the Democrats until they stop with the anti-gay headliners. Better luck in 4 years Obama cuz I won't be voting for you even if you win the Dem primaries. And despite being an Edwards supporter, if I need to campaign and doorknock for Hillary in order to make sure Obama won't win the primary, so be it.

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by: Morty @ Mon Oct 29, 2007 at 14:28:19 PM CDT

Gene Robinson's endosement

just wondering if anyone has heard anything new from V. Gene Robinson.  He endorsed Obama a few months ago.  Wonder if he's going to retract that now.

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by: Lurleen @ Mon Oct 29, 2007 at 14:40:46 PM CDT

Excellent question/comment.

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by: Karen in Kalifornia @ Mon Oct 29, 2007 at 15:03:29 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Gene Robinson

Gene Robinson lost some of my respect when he voted for the statement from the Episcopal Church's House of Bishops urging "restraint by not consenting to the consecration of any candidate to the episcopate whose manner of life presents a challenge to the wider church and will lead to further strains on communion." I thought that was a wrong.
 

As for his endorsement of Obama, I think this editorial entitled "Rev. Robinson's Obama Mistake" written last August was right on the money.

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by: claudew @ Mon Oct 29, 2007 at 15:49:54 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

It would be great

But I doubt it.  I don't think priests can change their minds because they called on their god to make the original decision, pointed hat and all.

Make alot of noise. Life is short.

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by: Charley6 @ Mon Oct 29, 2007 at 15:58:05 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

he has a brain and can think independently.

but most importantly, he made the endorsement as an individual, not in his capacity as episcopal priest. 

and besides, churches change their views on all sorts of things that god supposedly previously directed them to do.  marriage of RC priests in one, divorce of american baptist ministers is another.  god changes it's mind all the time, usually when it is convenient for the clergy.

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by: Lurleen @ Mon Oct 29, 2007 at 16:11:33 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I know

I'm not convinced that clergy can accomplish much in the real world.  Their message is too old and predictable.  No one was around to hear the opening prayer by the gay man at the Obama Gospel event.  Obama still has V. Gene Robinson on his web page as a supporter, so I guess he hasn't made a fuss.

Make alot of noise. Life is short.

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by: Charley6 @ Mon Oct 29, 2007 at 17:20:11 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Political reality

I'm disappointed with the Obama campaign, and I might decide to look elsewhere when I cast my primary vote. But come the general election, should Obama be the Democratic candidate, he will still get my vote.

I'm concerned by the attitude that has been expressed, "Obama will never get my vote." Does that include against any of the Republican candidates? As a gay man, regardless of my support at this stage, I will vote for ANY Democrat over ANY Republican in November 2008.

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by: buster @ Mon Oct 29, 2007 at 17:40:18 PM CDT

RE:Political reality

  I am not thrilled with any of the top three, Edwards, Clinton or Obama.  Personally I prefer Dennis Kucinich or Mike Gravel.

  I still to this day do not trust Hillary, never cared for Obama, and  "not there yet" Edwards.

  I am very tired of voting for the lesser of two evils as well. But I do know that another 4 or 8 years of a Republican would be the worst thing this country could endure. 

  With that said, I most likely will vote for the Democratic candidate, provided that there are no more slams from them towards the LGBT community.  One more and hello third party for me.

If I make sense? it was quite by accident.

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by: HappyCat @ Mon Oct 29, 2007 at 19:45:45 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Great post

I too am tired of voting for the "lesser of 2 evils".  This will probably be the year that I do what I really believe:  I don't vote for evil!

 

I think sHillary is a NeoCon and part of that whole New World Order power grabbing looney.  No more bushs and more clintons!  I cannot get myself for her.  If the Dems want to continue to bring out people like sHillary and they lose, hey it's not my fault.  The Dem party should be supporting true Democrats with progressive ideals.  No more DINOs like the ones who are in our party.

 I mean is the Democratic party so dense to not see that 11% support of Congress means We The People DO NOT like the current crop of Dems?

 

I had not considered Obama, but even before this fiasco, I didn't trust him.  Too much DC ... same old, same old politician doing whatever to climb up but on the way kickin people out.  I ain't voting for people like that.

 

2008:  I am done voting for evil! 

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by: Juan @ Tue Oct 30, 2007 at 01:54:15 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Obama had a chance

to do the right thing several times throuougt this blunder disaster. He could have cancelled with any of a number  of good excuses, he is after all a polititian. But he wasted that chance. Then despite the fact that there were several black gay pastors who were eager to help him with his (lousy) 'compromise',  he instead picked a gay white pastor who at the event, barely made an entrance while no one was looking, said nothing of substance and then high-tailed it before anyone could even realize he was there. So much for that opportunity to do the right thing.  Then the candidate himself had the chance to speak on tolerance and show leadership on the issue. When it counts. Instead, he showered McKlurkin with adoration making no mention whatsoever about the proverbial 800lb gorilla in the room. Meanwhile outside, a small group of people with the courage to stand up for equality in a difficult place suffered abuse, condemnation and epithets all hurled by people entering the event. No doubut glowing with self-reitiousness and secure in her moral superiority.

The whole thing is shameful. It's a failure of character, a failure of leadership, a failure of understanding, and a lack of courage all of which add up to an unacceptable candiate for the office of the most powerful position on earth (if you don't count the pope.) He's done more than lost my support, he's lost my trust. He can wag his jaw all he wants with "press releases." Warm fuzzy things, they; drafted, written, and edited by  LGBT community "expert" staffers on our contributions dripping with all the right catch phrases and perfect emphases; just the kind of thing we want to hear. The "statements" might ring more than hollow if Obama himself had anything whatever to do with it beyond reading and approving the text. It all comes down to whether his behavior backs up or gives lie to his (staffers') statements. All I can do is shake my head and think how nice it would have been to have a black president.

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by: slobeck @ Mon Oct 29, 2007 at 19:24:24 PM CDT

Ex-gay movement and NARTH

If you dont think the ex-gay movemnt is a big deal look at the NARTH protest that just took place over the wekend in Dallas Forth Worth

 http://www.youtube.c...

 

 

 

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by: Glad2bme @ Tue Oct 30, 2007 at 10:48:13 AM CDT