Barack Obama
Despite Protests, McClurkin's Guest Star Turn For Obama a Crowd Pleaser
Donnie McClurkin took the stage in concert in support of Barack Obama last night in Columbia, S.C. (AP).
COLUMBIA, S.C.--Aides to Barack Obama who are concerned about his fortunes nationally cast his decision not to kick Donnie McClurkin off the program of a gospel concert the campaign was hosting as a principled decision, part of the Illinois senator's constant rhetoric of bringing people together even if they disagree. But in South Carolina it was perhaps important to keep him on the bill for a more obvious consideration: despite the singer's controversial comments in the past about homosexuality, which he has likened to a "curse" and said is a choice, he would be a big draw.
When people stopped by Obama's Columbia office over the last few days to ask about tickets, they specifically checked to make sure McClurkin was still coming.
In Columbia last night, a crowd of more than 3,000 in a packed auditorium cheered and clapped during speeches from Obama aides and taped videos of the Senator and his wife, neither of whom attended, but leaped up for applause and cell phone pictures when McClurkin was introduced. A gay South Carolina pastor, Andy Sidden, gave the prayer that opened the event, a compromise the Obama campaign put together after McClurkin's appearance was attacked by gay rights activists. Sidden's prayer noted the importance of people of all races, backgrounds and sexual orientations coming together.
But McClurkin, who won a Grammy in 2004 for his gospel music and is also the pastor of an evangelical church in New York, quickly became the star of the night, which was the conclusion of three gospel concerts the campaign held around the state. McClurkin essentially acted as the emcee of the event, introducing the other gospel artists who performed, and then took the stage for the last hour. In between sermonizing, singing, and raving about Obama, McClurkin repeatedly defended himself.
"I just said yes," he said of his invitation by the Obama campaign. "I didn't know so much was going to happen. I didn't know my yes was going to mean I was misunderstood and vilified. .. . Sometimes people can take your words and do this with them," he said, making a twisting motion with his hands as the crowd shouted Amens and cheered for him.
After another song, he specially addressed the issue of homosexuality, saying he had been "touched by the same feelings."
"Don't call me a bigot or anti-gay,' he said. "Don't call me a homophobe, because I love everybody. . . Let me tell you something, the grace of God is given to all men," he said to loud applause.
For all the controversy during the week, which included a ten-minute call between Obama and Joe Solmonese, the head of the Washington-based gay rights group the Human Rights Campaign, who urged McClurkin not be allowed to appear at the event, there was little tension there. A vigil that was planned to protest outside of the concert included only about 20 people, almost all white, who held signs like "We are Here, We are Queer, we are voting next year," while across the street long lines of African-Americans, who seemed still dressed for church, waited to go into the event that started at 6 p.m.
That McClurkin would not be terribly controversial at this event is not surprising, because he was the main draw, and it was an audience that may share some of his views.
With 90 percent in most elections voting for Democrats, African-Americans are one of the most loyal parts of the Democratic base. At the same time, they differ from the rest of the party in terms of church attendance (more) and support for gay rights (less). Exit polling from the 2004 South Carolina Democratic primary, which John Edwards won, showed 72 percent of blacks who voted attend church weekly, compared to 55 percent of all South Carolina Democrats and 37 percent of Democrats nationally who voted in the general election. According to Washington Post-ABC News national surveys this year, 43 percent of white Democrats support gay marriage, compared to 22 percent of blacks. Around half of blacks, 52 percent, don't support civil unions or gay marriage for gay couples, compared to only 26 percent of whites.
After the event, Sarah Adger and her 23-year-old daughter Unique, who had driven almost an hour to hear the concert, both defended McClurkin. Sarah Adger, who works for the public school system in the state, said she came to the concert because "I love Donny McClurkin." She said that while she did not believe being gay was a choice or a curse, she believed it was immoral because "the Bible says a man should not with another a man the way he would a women."
At the event, McClurkin said more about himself than the man who the concert was supposed to help, Obama. But the singer said the candidate "is standing for change" and "a man not afraid to bring different opinions to the stage."
In fact, for all the criticism on the left for President Bush mixing faith with politics, some of the speakers essentially described voting for Obama as akin to a religious cause.
"He's more than a conqueror through Jesus Christ," said Kirbyjon Caldwell, a Houston pastor who was on the tour and is backing on Obama.
One of the more persistent problems that polling has shown for Obama among black voters is not his experience or whether he's 'black enough," as some critics suggested earlier in the race, but doubts among African-Americans about whether a black person can win. Rick Wade, an Obama adviser who focuses on black outreach, gave what amounted to a sermon on Obama's electability at the start of the concert.
"There are believers and there are non-believers," Wade said. "Non-believers would say he's the most qualified...but they won't vote for him. He won't win. Believers would say he will win. Non-believers would say 'what can we do?' Believers would say 'we can do all things,'" he said, and paused before the crowd loudly responded "through Christ Jesus."
He continued, "Non-believers would say America is not ready, believers would say we are ready."
Obama's campaign is making religious appeals a huge part of their South Carolina strategy. The concerts were the last part of a "40 Days of Faith and Family" that emphasized Obama's faith as he seeks to win black voters, who could comprise up to half of the electorate in the Democratic primary. The concert was full of black women, who have become a key contested group between Obama and Sen. Hillary Clinton.
Obama's campaign has also held "faith forums" in the state where people hear from campaign aides about how the candidate's faith plays a role in his life and then discuss how faith informs their own lives and their politics. In a shift from traditional Democratic politics, where campaigns often try to win the support of pastors and the candidate mostly just shows up to services on Sundays, Obama's campaign is trying to build support from individual church members, who are supposed to tell other members of their church and religious people they know about Obama, although Obama aides note they do not want people simply calling their church directory.
The campaign will soon have "house parties" designed for people of faith, and last month, the candidate himself appeared at a predominantly black church and then that same morning went to the service of a white church in Columbia.
The concert was to be the highlight of this outreach and while the crowd left excited, it was clear the campaign still regarded the controversy as complicated. Aides gave reporters a three-page memo detailing McClurkin's and Obama's views on gay rights that noted in capital letters "MCCLURKIN DOES NOT WANT TO CHANGE GAYS AND LESBIANS WHO ARE HAPPY WITH THEIR LIVES AND HAS CRITICIZED CHURCH LEADERS WHO DEMONIZE HOMOSEXUALS," with quotes detailing those statements from the singer.
The next paragraph then stated "OBAMA DOES NOT AGREE WITH MCCLURKIN'S VIEWS ON GAYS."
--Perry Bacon Jr.
Posted at 11:07 AM ET on Oct 29, 2007
| Category:
Barack Obama
Share This: 
Technorati
| Tag in Del.icio.us | Digg This
Posted by: jessi_lc | January 10, 2008 1:00 AM
I am not a gay American, nor would I ever consider it but I will tell you that I am a strong Afro American Sister and I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that God is El Elyon. Do you know who that is? Well let me introduce him to you -- He is God and he sent his ONLY BEGOTTEN SON TO DIE FOR YOU, JESUS CHRIST SHED HIS PRECIOUS BLOOD so much so that you would not have to stay in the state that you are in. Say what you will-- I really don't care, because what it all boils down to is yes God loves you but do you love him enough to turn from your wicked ways. There has been a horrible homosexual spirit released over certain cities of this world and it has taken the weak minded and exposed over. It has overshadowed them, it has become a part of them, it has broken up happy homes; caused our children to believe that they are homosexuals and the whole nine yards. The bible calls this UNNATURAL AFFECTION. Do you actually consider where AIDS come from and why there is actually no cure - YOU DIE NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO -- I have a sister whose in her last states of life, because of this disease and she's not Gay, but the man was bisexual; 46 years old and will not see 47. THINK ABOUT THAT-- LIVES ARE BEING RUINED AND DEATH IS PREMATURE.
First of all Pastor McClurkin is a man of God and truth spews from his mouth (I stand with him). How could he lead the flock that God has entrusted him with if he lied or said things that were not true? He is not talking about something he's not lived and experienced for himself, he lived it, but then he allowed God to help him overcome it by the blood of the lamb and by the word of his testimony. The majority of you have been violated by someone you trusted or either you've been raped by a sick minded individual, but right here and now you don't have to stay like you are. You have to forgive that person, and move on. There is no such thing as two men or two women. There's no more instances in the bible after Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed. GOD HATES SIN (ALL MANNER OF IT) and the pay out for sin is DEATH, so I adhere you to pick up your bibles (all of you-who think you are a homosexual-the only thing wrong is that you have allowed the spirit of confusion to invade your spirit and mind) take a look at the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Read Genesis 18-19 in their entirety. If you don't own a bible then go buy one, and get one that you will understand - I recommend the Amplified Version of the King James Version. You need to know what God says about the sin you are in. It will have to be you who change. Because Society has allowed this to go on and on, it is now accepted in all things. You can hear the true word of God from now until Jesus returns, if you've heard the truth and still are bound then that's your choice. But if I sit by and let you attack a man of God without saying something then I'll be in covenant with you, and that will never happen. STOP ATTACKING PASTOR MCCLURKIN for speaking the truth of God. The bible clearly states: touch not my anointed and do my prophets no harm. Take your mouths off of him. The reason that I am saying that is because you cannot handle the reward that you will receive for placing your mouthgs on an anointed one of God. Now that's truth. Now, after you've read Genesis 18 and 19 answer this question: What was the major reason God wiped Sodom and Gomorrah off of the face of the earth, these two cities were even wiped from the memories of other nations? Take a good long look at the reason. Then go look in the mirror. God created you what you are a male or a female (HE DON'T MAKE MISTAKES _ EVER!!!!!) and to be with the opposite of your sex (man and woman or woman and man)- that's it. In the Garden if God was okay with homosexuality, why did he not place Adam and Anthony in there or Eve and Helen? Do you see something wrong with the picture that you are in? IT IS UNNATURAL. And there is a place for all sinners if they don't repent and turn wholly and soully to God. He loves you unconditionally and will accept you no matter what. There is only one sin that God will never ever forgive and that's the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. No matter what you've done, it does not matter, he loves you beyond what you can ever think, or FEEL -- BE DELIVERED and SET FREE!!!!! Pastor McClurkin is right and you should listen, he's not attacking you - he's sending a message of deliverance, before it's too late. And whether you believe or not...JESUS IS COMING BACK!! Now the question here is -- Will you be ready? HEAVEN and ETERNAL LIFE or HELL and DEATH ETERNAL. It's your choice -- remember that, God did provide us with a free will, but it is the heart of Pastor McClurkin to Speak out against all manner of Sin because he has taken on the heart and mind of Jesus Christ the Son of God. All Holy Spirit Filled and Blood dipped Believers have it -- it is the best thing going yet. To wear a blood soaked robe of righteousness -- ain't nothing out there in the world any better than that. Just try Jesus - you don't have anything to lose, but your life if you stay in your current sin. Stop attacking Pastor McClurkin and Senator Obama for what they believe and start looking in the mirror at the face you see.
Lovingly submitted
Posted by: deniseblfr | November 27, 2007 1:07 PM
Excuse me, '40 days of faith & family' emphasizing Obama's faith? As if a candidate traveling with his own tent revival is not disgusting in his own right, Obama's campaign goes and fleeces the faith of black folk. It would be different if Obama walked into the formerly gay pastor's church on a Sunday, but the candidate inviting the formerly gay pastor to a tent revival to help him pander to and demonstrate his blackness to his own race is unconscionable. This is why the civil rights movement ended where it did. Dr. King didn't bring a church to black people, he went to them in their own churches. MLK didn't take some fake indulgence of what black people wanted to hear to them. He asked something of black churchgoers that they have yet to be asked again. Instead of Obama getting down to the level of 'his' people and capitalizing of their faith through a demonstration of leadership, Obama capitalizes by selling tickets to an event pandering to fundamentalist christian sexual biases. I so believed in Obama but, now, especially as a black American, I'm thoroughly disgusted.
Posted by: johnitis | November 1, 2007 9:59 AM
Screw Obama. Whatever interest I had, as a gay person, in his candidacy has evaporated.
This could have transpired 2 ways:
He could have been warned about McClurken's reputation and decided it was more important to win the evangelical vote than the gays.
OR his staff is so incompetent they couldn't run a simple google search and find this our (or did and didn't alert him). This is the case, it's not promising sign for his Presidency. I see more Harriet Miers, Bernard Keriks and Alberto Gonzalezes coming down the pike from him if this is an example of his vetting process.
Either way, he's clearly decided to chose the black & evangelical vote over the gay vote. And he's demonstrated he's not politician enough to win both.
Posted by: swooledge2003 | October 30, 2007 8:46 PM
I am glad to see gay, lesbian and transgendered persons of color say they still support Obama. Noticeably absent is a racial/ethnic reference from most who say they will not support Obama (sans the first post).
The article was clear -- religious African Americans who are theologically/politically conservative on homosexuality are still a BASE constituency for the Democratic party. Imagine, what if Rudy gets the Republican nod and the gay vote goes to him? Hmmmmmmmmmm.
I think black glbt persons need to think closely about how much they are willing to align themselves with the WHITE (supremacist) GLBT movement. Yeah, I mean to be provocative with that one. Race still trumps class, gender or sexual orientation in America, period. Last I checked, the most vociferous critics of this concert were WHITE.
I know the black glbt movement is speaking out for its rights. I'm not oblivious to them and frankly would much rather talk to them than the radical, secularist, ultra-leftist gay rights movement -- which exists on the foundation of white supremacy. Sexuality is a fragile sociological and political and theological issue in the black community, because when we talk sex, often black lives are really, frankly at stake. It's a matter of life and death for us, period.
BTW, I am a heterosexual, ordained Pentecostal, theologically trained minister who has openly gay, lesbian and transgendered friends and colleagues. I am actively in conversation with the radical inclusion movement -- which is by and large an African American Christian movement trying to witness to blacks to dialogue on human sexuality.
I am not prepared to support legalized gay marriage, but I am willing to consider basic equal protection under the law, and separating many statues that are related to marriage from marriage so that gay couples may also receive those legal protections (like ICU visits, wills, property rights, etc.) as hetero-couples now receive, often regardless of whether there is a marriage certificate or not. The law recognizes "common-law" relationships in many states, which black churches would call "shackin'" The state is not bound to define law according to theology. But the church is not bound to obey men rather than God.
Call me stupid, a bigot, whatever. Gays got their primary issues, and I, as one committed to the black diaspora, I have my primary issues. Black folks dying of HIV/AIDS is way more important, the UN millennium development goals are way further up the list, black homocide and incarceration rates are still a much bigger problem than heterosexism in the black community.
Heterosexism IS A PROBLEM. SEXISM is a problem. CLASSISM is a problem in black America. There are webs of power relations, not just a heirarchy. But the hegemony above them all as far as I am concerned is racism. And I don't think the black agenda should budge from that.
But I am more than willing to dialogue, and I am willing to move to common ground for common sense measures.
I openly support measures to condemn hate language against GLBTS of color, to deny them equal protection under the law, to discriminate against under current civil rights law. While I question "hate crime" legal theory, I do believe discriminatory motives could and should be considered in the sentencing phase of anyone convicted of a crime against a GLBT person, or a person of color for that matter.
Let's start with these issues. There is much to cover right there!
Can we start there?
Peace,
Marlon Millner
Posted by: marlonmillner | October 30, 2007 3:17 PM
see ya later obama.
I was thinking about it but it won't happen now.
Posted by: damagedfiles | October 30, 2007 2:33 PM
I can't wait until the poll numbers after this come out, I'm sure Obama is going to continue his slide down.
Patrick NYC
Posted by: pbnyc59 | October 30, 2007 11:42 AM
Hey uh_huhh,
The general public of Black America really does not just sit around discussing or analyzing the nature of and multiple views surrounding the origin and complexity of other people and their sexual orientation.
Does that mean we are anti-gay or bigots?
NO!!
We haven't really been exposed to OR in discussion regarding these topics to the extent of understanding the GLBT point of view.
Be realistic - Basically, we don't care.
We have so many basic survival tasks confronting our lives on a daily basis we have little time to worry about what goes on in someone else's bedroom.
That's a very elementary reason why Barack Obama's interest in getting people to talk and relate will be so imparative to the combating of HIVAIDs and understanding of a people/ lifstyle we know very little about.
Even as I write this I'm afraid my little views may be misinterpreted, by the use of what the GLBT considers a bad phrase, a wrong idea.. who knows.
But the truth remains - As a Christian, I had never felt uncomfortable saying Jesus could deliver us all from all things!
Just this week when a co-worker explained why that may offend a member of the GLBT community.
It was news to me, because I had never thought of it any other way.
You only know what you know, until you are enlighted to others views.
GO OBAMA!!
Posted by: drsyes | October 30, 2007 10:32 AM
In fact, I'm just astonished at the gall of the Obama campaign in issuing that press release: "MCCLURKIN DOES NOT WANT TO CHANGE GAYS AND LESBIANS WHO ARE HAPPY WITH THEIR LIVES."
Obama has now not only had McClurkin lead this gospel show and not only refused to remove him but is now affirmatively shilling for him. What is offensive about McClurkin is not that he poses some supposed threat to well-adjusted out gays and lesbians. It is that he falsely claims that gays can pray themselves straight. The Obama press release implicitly accepts that unhappy gays can do that.
Disgusting cowardice from the Obama campaign. And can't they find a single actual gay person or at least someone who know anything about gay people and issues to vet performers or draft press releases?
Boy, this whole ugly incident has just ripped the veil of pretend gay awareness and sensitivity right off the Obama operation.
Posted by: uh_huhh | October 30, 2007 5:50 AM
I'm gay, and although I don't know who I'll vote for now, I won't be giving Obama any more consideration.
I don't need an Obama press release condescendingly instructing me not to be deeply offended by McClurkin's antigay ranting. The Senator's unwillingness to drop him was a cowardly and unprincipled sell out of every gay and lesbian person.
Obama's pretty rhetoric about gay rights is flatly contradicted by the spectacle of 3,000 supporters leaping to their feet at his rally and cheering to the UNCHALLENGED message that Jesus can "cure" gay people of our supposed "choice" to be gay.
Posted by: uh_huhh | October 30, 2007 5:39 AM
And there it is the hatred comes spewing out from "teganholmes." How beautiful and loving to write people off.
Posted by: german_hans | October 29, 2007 10:04 PM
I am not gay, but I support gay rights and so does Obama. Try to watch him on Ellen today -- he discusses how he feels on gay rights. He definitely is a supporter of gay rights. I am a Black female, voting age, and I definitely support Mr. Obama, he is the candidate this country needs right now.
I encourage every voter out there to consider Obama.
I feel he will be a competent leader. I want to elect someone that is competent.
Hillary Clinton has been a lousy senator. She has not acheived any major successes for the American people as senator.
She has however managed to help send our troops to Iraq. She has the blood
of our troops on her hands.
Hillary Clinton has also managed to get rich from filling her pockets with
the money of special interest groups and lobbyists.
Plus, how can she run this country if she can not teach her husband how to
keep his zipper up?
Posted by: AndreaT1 | October 29, 2007 6:05 PM
I am a gay latino and Obama lives. We spew so much hatered toward each other that sometimes we forget that it is possible to work with one another. There will be a time where diplomacy is needed and this is the perfect "stage" for it. If you believe in prosperity and peace you'll understand that what Senator Obama is doing is a great thing. The word of Christ is to love thy Neighbor...Love thy enemy.
Posted by: Aaryck | October 29, 2007 4:37 PM
I am a gay latino and Obama lives. We spew so much hatered toward each other that sometimes we forget that it is possible to work with one another. There will be a time where diplomacy is needed and this is the perfect "stage" for it. If you believe in prosperity and peace you'll understand that what Senator Obama is doing is a great thing. The word of Christ is to love thy Neighbor...Love thy enemy.
Posted by: Aaryck | October 29, 2007 4:37 PM
I am a black gay american and cllrdr will never be alive to me. I applaud Obama for leaving room "under his tent" for all. I don't think this is a proud moment for the Gay advocacy movement. I am appalled at their reaction.
Your robot is waiting at hillary.com or something like that.
Go Obama is right!
Posted by: kebadeba | October 29, 2007 4:25 PM
In Regards to cllrdr's comments: GOOD! We don't need you anyway.
Posted by: teganholmes | October 29, 2007 3:06 PM
The general public of Black America really does not just sit around discussing or analyzing the nature of and multiple views surrounding the origin and complexity of other people and their sexual orientation.
Does that mean we are anti-gay or bigots?
NO!! We haven't really been exposed to OR in discussion regarding these topics to the extent of understanding the GLBT point of view.
Be realistic - Basically, we don't care. We have so many basic survival tasks confronting our lives on a daily basis we have little time to worry about what goes on in someone else's bedroom.
That's a very elementary reason why Barack Obama's interest in getting people to talk and relate will be so imparative to the combating of HIVAIDs and understanding of a people/ lifstyle we know very little about.
Even as I write this I'm afraid my little views may be misinterpreted, by the use of what the GLBT considers a bad phrase, a wrong idea.. who knows.
But the truth remains - As a Christian, I had never felt uncomfortable saying Jesus could deliver us all from all things!
Just this week when a co-worker explained why that may offend a member of the GLBT community. It was news to me, because I had never thought of it any other way. You only know what you know, until you are enlighted to others views.
GO OBAMA!!
Posted by: drsyes | October 29, 2007 3:00 PM
I am a black gay American.
Obama is dead to me.
Posted by: cllrdr | October 29, 2007 2:23 PM
The comments to this entry are closed.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=1dUp16hFzY8
start at 1:16