Gay Minister Joins
Obama Concert in SC
By NEDRA PICKLER,
from AP on the Web, October 24, 2007
WASHINGTON -- 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.
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