Thoughts on Barack Obama, McClurkin's performance and the future of LGBT rights

[zulchzulu]

There have been a few threads about Barack Obama and the Donnie McClurkin incident. McClurkin had performed at one concert in Columbia, South Carolina and Obama was not present at the event, which is not what some have decided was the bet way to lie about the event.

Here is some video of the event where McClurkin performed:
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/politics/2007/10/29/mcclurkin.speech.cnn

For those of you that haven’t seen the video, please watch it.

Andy Sidden, an openly gay South Carolina pastor, opened the concert with his comments about how homophobia is not good. Some feel he wasn't on stage long enough, but the fact is that he opened the concert with his statements.

Obama did give a statement about McClurkin's views:

"I have clearly stated my belief that gays and lesbians are our brothers and sisters and should be provided the respect, dignity, and rights of 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.

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."

http://pride.barackobama.com/page/content/lgbthome

Here are some highlights to Obama’s dozen years as a legislator regarding working for LGBT rights:

Expand Hate Crimes Statutes:
In 2004, crimes against homosexuals constituted the third-highest category of hate crime reported and made up more than 15 percent of such crimes. Barack Obama cosponsored legislation that would expand federal jurisdiction to reach violent hate crimes perpetrated because of race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, or physical disability. As a state senator, Obama passed tough legislation that made hate crimes and conspiracy to commit them against the law.

Fight Workplace Discrimination:
Barack Obama believes the Employment Non-Discrimination Act should be expanded to include sexual orientation. While an increasing number of employers have extended benefits to their employees’ domestic partners, discrimination based on sexual orientation in the workplace occurs with no federal legal remedy. Obama also sponsored and passed legislation in the Illinois State Senate that would ban employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

Promote Gay and Lesbian Rights:
Barack Obama supported legislation in the Illinois State Senate to prevent discrimination based on sexual orientation in housing and public accommodations.

Support Full Civil Unions:
Barack Obama supports civil unions that give gay couples full rights, including the right to assist their loved ones in times of emergency, the right to equal health insurance and other employment benefits currently extended to traditional married couples, and the same property rights as anyone else.

Oppose a Constitutional Ban on Gay Marriage:
Barack Obama voted against the Federal Marriage Amendment in 2006 which would have defined marriage as between a man and a woman and prevented judicial extension of marriage-like rights to same-sex or other unmarried couples. “We are better than this. And we certainly owe the American people more than this. I know that this amendment will fail, and when it does, I hope we can start discussing issues and offering proposals that will actually improve the lives of most Americans.” (Barack Obama on the Senate floor regarding the Federal Marriage Amendment, June 5, 2006)

Repeal Don’t Ask-Don’t Tell:
Barack Obama agrees with former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff John Shalikashvili and other military experts that we need to repeal the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy in consultation with military commanders. The key test for military service should be patriotism, a sense of duty, and a willingness to serve. Discrimination should be prohibited. The U.S. government has spent millions of dollars replacing troops kicked out of the military because of their sexual orientation. Additionally, more than 300 language experts have been fired under this policy, including more than 50 who are fluent in Arabic. Obama will work with military leaders to repeal the current policy and ensure it helps accomplish our national defense goals.

Expand Adoption Rights:
Barack Obama believes that homosexuals should have the same adoption rights as heterosexuals.

Fight AIDS Worldwide:
There are 40 million people across the planet infected with HIV/AIDS. Every day, AIDS kills 8,000 and HIV infects 6,000 more people. The disease is set to become the third-leading cause of death worldwide in the coming years. Barack Obama has been a global leader in the fight against AIDS. He traveled to Kenya and took a public HIV test to encourage testing and reduce the stigma of the disease.

Promote AIDS Prevention:
Barack Obama believes that we cannot ignore that abstinence and fidelity may too often be the ideal and not the reality. Obama went to a large evangelical conference in 2006 to promote greater investment in the global AIDS battle. At this conservative Christian event, Obama pushed for a balanced approach to fighting the disease that includes condom distribution. In late 2006, Barack Obama worked to reauthorize the Ryan White CARE Act, which is one of the largest sources of federal funds for primary health care and support services for patients with HIV/AIDS. The bill was named after Ryan White, an Indiana teenager whose courageous struggle with HIV/AIDS helped educate the nation.

Empower Women to Prevent HIV/AIDS:
In the United States, the percentage of women diagnosed with AIDS has quadrupled over the last 20 years. Today, women account for more than one quarter of all new HIV/AIDS diagnoses. Barack Obama introduced the Microbicide Development Act, which will accelerate the development of products that empower women in the battle against AIDS. Microbicides are a class of products currently under development that women apply topically to prevent transmission of HIV and other infections.

http://www.outfordemocracy.org/obama.htm
http://www.sovo.com/2007/5-25/Obama.pdf

As a heterosexual who has done 6 AIDS rides in tribute to my uncle who lost a battle to AIDS and one who has actively participated in grassroots efforts relating to LGBT issues over the years, I wish the McClurkin thing never happened.

Do I know what it’s like being gay? I have a gay brother who I’ve helped out when he was doubting his sexuality and facing being demonized by my other family members.

I saw and held my uncle, who died of AIDS, when he passed away and decided that I would make it a mission to help on LGBT issues, namely doing AIDS rides in his honor. I think about his last moments on this Earth on a nearly daily basis. I can see him looking at me as his life faded from his body.

I have many friends and neighbors who are gay and frankly, I don’t even look at them as “gay”. They are just good, decent, honest, hard-working people.

I do understand Barack's point that you have to engage with people who are homophobic to make them see their faults on the issue. I do look at his record on civil rights for all people which is proven and verifiable and know that he is not a homophobe and certainly represents the best chances of actually working on LGBT issues and perhaps starting with getting civil unions as a national standard.

I post this mostly because I feel that some use the McClurkin event on almost a McCarthyistic approach. After looking at Obama’s proven record on LGBT issues over a dozen years (and more) and seeing how the unfortunate events with McClurkin’s one performance with other bands on one night, I just find it incredibly transparent that some people are willing to condemn both he and his supporters as homophobic.

In my view, it is exactly like Joe McCarthy condemning someone who once went to a Communist or socialist meeting ONCE and declaring them an enemy of the country and a communist that should be arrested and thrown in prison. If this seems like a strong statement, it is meant to be.

Was the McClurkin event something I am proud of? No. Was it hurtful to the LGBT community? Possibly and maybe so. Does it mean that Obama is a homophobe and/or are his supporters? Absolutely not.

Obama talks about keeping dialogue with those that may not agree with you or I politically (and I consider homophobia political as well as the wrong side of spiritual). How do you change the opinion of a person who sees things the wrong way but through dialog? How do we advance as a country without engaging everyone who is part of the puzzle?

I hope that those who disagree with the McClurkin event open their eyes to the whole picture in an honest way. Accusing me of being a homophobe because I want to address this issue head on is a copout.

It’s not that I think we should “move on” on the issue. It is that we should do exactly as Obama stated and engage in discussion with people who are homophobes and get them to see the best way to go forward.

[FreeState]

1. "Was it hurtful to the LGBT community? Possibly and maybe so"

Are you kidding me? Do you know how many gay youth in America attempt suicide? Its the kind of hate McClurkin preaches that causes this.

You just lost your credibility IMO. You have no idea how harmful anti-gay rhetoric is - especially when it goes unchecked as it did in the case of McClurkin's commemnts - Obama did NOTHINNG to help but say "oh Im sorry I dont agree" well that hate was spewed forth on HIS DIME - he has done ZERO to help rectify the damage he has done to those in attendance that might be GLBT.

[zulchzulu]

3. "Do you know how many gay youth in America attempt suicide?"

Um...yes, I do. My brother, who is gay, tried once. I think I know about that. Thanks for playing.

[FreeState]

4. AS someone who has worked with gay youth you

dont get it - sorry about your brother - but you just do not get it. Im done.

[zulchzulu]

5. Actually...

...I think I get it. Do I "get it" enough for you? Perhaps not. If you're hurt on this, my best regards to healing over it. Otherwise, I don't know what to tell you that I didn't already say.

As for my brother, yes, he did try to commit suicide once and fortunately someone was there to get him to the hospital and get his stomach pumped. He then went through a very horrible period where his friends and even some of my fellow family members attacked him for his sexual preference. I stood with him, helped pay for some treatment he needed and he's now solidly confident in himself and is successful in life. It was a very dark time and he made it.

All the best to you.

[hulklogan]

9. Your brother is very lucky that he had someone like you to support him

Unfortunately, many queer youth only have people like Donnie McClurkin in their lives who tell them that they need to pray the gay away or they'll grow up to be child killers.

I sincerely hope that Senator Obama would be more like you than like Donnie McClurkin if faced with the same difficult circumstances.

[TheWraith]

27. You're the one who loses credibility when you blame Obama for anti-gay bias.

It seems that a bunch of people here on DU have deliberately decided to be stupid, and blame a candidate for something that one of their supporters believes, or else they've bought into one of the completely false versions of events that has Obama holding the microphone for some kind of homophobic rant.

[jaysunb]

2. Thank you for yor hard work and efforts.

I'm just sorry it probably won't do much good w/ the rabid crowd that continues to promote the lies, smears, half truths & ommisions about Sen Obama and this particular issue.

[CTLawGuy]

6. none of that matters to certain people

this one incident overshadows all of it to some. Personally I say let them vote for whomever they wish becuase I think they weren't too keen on Obama in the first place.

[Bullet1987]

25. I agree and GREAT post

ZulchZulu. This will largely fall on deaf ears though just so you know.

[hulklogan]

7. Can someone explain why HIV/AIDS in the heterosexual community is a GLBT issue?

I'm confused as to why HIV/AIDS worldwide (an Africa-only and mostly heterosexual problem to Obama, apparently, since he and his wife decided to get tested in Kenya) and HIV/AIDS prevention for heterosexual women is relevant at all to GLBT Americans.

[NMMNG]

10. Silly!

Obama knows exactly what he's doing when he speaks and acts.


He equates HIV/AIDS with the LGBT community to keep people thinking that it's a dirty gay disease. That way people will keep hating gay people because they "brought AIDS into the world".

He claims that the Democrats and LGBT community are "hermetically sealed from the faith community". This perpetuates the stereotype that there are no LGBTs of faith.

And the white gay pastor on stage during the Embrace the Bigotry tour? Guess what--he rejected two black pastors before settling on the white one! He wanted to help keep alive in the audiences mind the vulgar notion that homosexuality is a "white-man's disorder", and deny that there are LGBTs of color.


Yes, Obama is very slick and knows exactly what he's doing. He threw LGBTs under the bus willingly and with full knowledge of the consequences. He didn't give a damn what would happen to us, so long as he got his precious SC bigot votes.

[hulklogan]

11. Obama couldn't be more out of touch if he had no fingertips. n/t

[zulchzulu]

12. Barack Obama worked to reauthorize the Ryan White CARE Act

Barack Obama understands that HIV/AIDS hits more than just the LGBT community. Unfortunately, HIV/AIDS does affect many millions of people around the World.

To politicize that Obama only thinks it's a problem for just Africans and heterosexual woman is as bizarre to me as saying that Obama is somehow a homophobe.

About the "Ryan White CARE Act":
The Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency (CARE) Act is Federal legislation that addresses the unmet health needs of persons living with HIV disease (PLWH) by funding primary health care and support services. The CARE Act was named after Ryan White, an Indiana teenager whose courageous struggle with HIV/AIDS and against AIDS-related discrimination helped educate the nation."

http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/dc/HIVandSTD/RyanWhite/index.html

[hulklogan]

26. Again I ask, why is heterosexual HIV/AIDS a GLBT issue?

It is an important issue, surely. But claiming to "work" for reauthorizing the Ryan White CARE Act doesn't make Obama an LGBT activist, nor does getting an HIV test in Kenya or supporting the development of a microbicide for heterosexual women.

[NMMNG]

8. "Was it hurtful to the LGBT community? Possibly and maybe so."

It was. That has been made blindingly clear via countless threads and posts here on DU and in other places online. But you and others like you choose to ignore that because it causes too much cognitive dissonance. Go and vote for the Obamination if it makes you feel good. Some of us are sick to death of trying to explain it to you.

[dsc]

13. please don't lie about his role in that concert while calling us liars

There is, as has been linked here, video of the man (McClurkin) speaking at this concert. He didn't merely sing a song as you have repeatedly, dishonestly said. And if you dare try to say McClurkin didn't speak I will link that damn video yet again.

[zulchzulu]

15. Oddly, it seems you missed the whole point

It was ONE concert with three other bands on one night in a small town in South Carolina. Did you see the video link where McClurkin DID speak? Did you listen to what he said? Was it homophobic? No.

Look at that one concert on that one night and compare it with 12 years of Obama's legislative record that fully supports LGBT rights (as well as civil rights for all of us).

The spin about this event has gotten so twisted and inflated that the only point I can see to it is some people will utterly lie about what happened and distort the significance of the event for some cheap political gain.

There seems not to be the same scrutiny with the Hillary Clinton campaign, who have several die-hard homophobes on the payroll and others on the web site endorsing her.

[dsc]

16. The point is you have repeatedly called us liars

while you, yourself have repeatedly lied about what happened. Incidently, the dishonesty is a big part of the problem. I am tired of you and other Obama supporters repeatedly calling us liars when we have in fact been telling the truth. I have repeatedly been called a liar for saying McClurkin MCed the concert when report after report said he did, in fact, MC the concert. I have repeatedly been caled a liar for saying McClurkin claimed to have been cured at the concert when we now see tape of him, at that concert, saying he has been cured.

And, as I have repeatedly said, I am not a Hillary supporter. I have a May primary. I have given not one red, blue, pink, or any other color cent to any person, at any time, running for President this cycle. I am voting for, working for, and have given money to, an openly gay Senate candidate. I don't know how much clearer I can state that.

I have also repeatedly said, that yes it is bad to have homophobes endorse you. But it is worse to give speaking platforms to them.

[NMMNG]

17. We got the point

It was a concert with multiple homophobes (Heziah Walkier, Mary Mary, McClurkin). I saw the video in which McClurkin spoke. It was homophobic. McClurkin stated, essentially, that being gay is something one from which one can be and should be "delivered" by God because it's sinful and wrong. How could anybody not see that as homophobic--except homophobes and clueless idiots?

Well guess what:



Order it here

[Bluebear]

19. It was ONE concert with three other bands -- yeah, more ANTI-GAY bands.

But of course, you grandly stated that I am on ignore so you won't see this :eyes:

[TankLV]

21. you disgust me...

[Egnever]

36. you disgust me

tit for tat?

[ruggerson]

14. I disagree with your premise

Reasoning or trying to reach common ground with bigots does not work.

There are two dynamics at play here:

1) the civil laws and statutes that need to be addressed

2) the feelings of people that need to change.

Never, in our country, has the second preceded the first. One can bang one's head against the wall forever, trying to reason and or/change the hearts and minds of bigots.

What needs to changed are the laws. Thus, we need a President who is willing enough, courageous enough and able enough to issue executive orders, take a bold stand for what is right using the bully pulpit and engage/coerce congress to write new statutes that will expand human rights.

This is exactly what Lyndon Johnson and Harry Truman did. Vast portions of the country loathed them for it.

70% of the country supported miscegenation laws in the '60's when the Supreme Court had the courage to strike them all down in Loving Vs. Virginia. 70% of the country was against interracial marriage, but we had LEADERS who changed the laws.

The hearts and minds of the people will follow once the laws have been changed and/or when older, bigoted generations die off.

Martin Luther King understood this.

I don't know if Barack Obama does. It's not just this one concert. It's his actions and words in reaction to the controversy it generated, which convey to many of us that he is not sincere about his commitment to be a real leader for our cause.

I wanted to be a big Barack Obama fan. I still do.

A simple, sincere apology to our community would go a long way towards healing this damaging rift. An apology that reaffirms to us that he understands that this NOT about changing the minds of bigots, it's simply about changing the laws we all live under as co-equal citizens.

If he is the passionate pro equal rights advocate you and many other Obama supporters claim he is, wouldn't he be eager to prove his bona fides to all of us and offer up reassurances and a recommitment to our cause?

[zulchzulu]

18. We can't afford to wait for homophobia to die off generationally

Homophobia is not an dilemna just for older people. It's across generations. In order to stop it or educate people about why it's not good, you don't just ignore those that are homophobic. You engage in conversation with them. If need be, you even invite them to the table if only to expose them to their peers and/or others.

Does a doctor get rid of a disease by ignoring the patient and letting them face their demise? Does a teacher ignore a student that can't seem to learn a problem? Does a mother ignore a child that gets in trouble?

If you use the template that you don't engage with homophobes and try to teach them that it is a foolish way to live and think, then how do we ever make progress?

Do I "claim" that Obama is a "passionate pro equal rights advocate"? If by claim, do you think I am not looking at actual proof of his pro-LGBT stance on many issues by looking at his actual proven record? I look at his record and see that he is indeed committed to equal rights for all.

You mentioned Martin Luther King and how you thought he felt that no dialogue should be bestowed to homophobes. Actually, it is the opposite of that. King said in his so-called "I Have a Dream" speech:

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

http://www.usconstitution.net/dream.html

Like Obama, King knew that the only way to get change is through dialogue and discussion. Anything else is guaranteed to fail.

[Bjorn Against]

24. King wanted a dialogue, but he did not invite KKK leaders to speak at his rallies

Having a dialogue is much different than giving a bigot a microphone. If you can find me an instance of King giving a person who wanted to "cure" blacks a speaking part at one of his rallies then you can make King comparisons. But I don't think you will be able to find any examples of racists emceeing rallies for King.

[Maven]

28. Really?

Then why didn't Obama try and "educate" Don Imus through dialogue instead of vowing never to speak with him publicly again?

[NMMNG]

33. That's a good question

Why is it that Obama has twice called for the firing of public figures who engaged in racist speech, but turned around and used several virulently homophobic performers for his own campaign fund-raising concert ? Is it that he considers homophobia more acceptable than racism? Why the double standard?

[ruggerson]

29. Actually, younger generations are far less homophobic

they support marriage equality in sizable majorities, they support a total repeal of don't ask don't tell, they've grown up in society where they had close friends and family members and parents of close friends who are all gay. It's a different world for them.

I want a leader, I don't want a preacher. I do not care what bizarre superstitons the evangelicals have about homosexuality. I don't want my president bargaining with or "educating" bigots about my constitutional rights.

I want a leader who will change the laws, challenge the system and provide us with our due, which if full equality. And that means standing up to bigotry, not leaning down to hear what it is barking.

[zulchzulu]

37. I agree

As for Obama being a leader and not a preacher, he has a proven record over his career that proves he is for equal rights for all, including the LGBT community. That's a fact. I've posted the record several times.

I hate gay bashers and homophobes. I also let them know how I feel when they slip a comment here or there out it. It makes them think twice the next time before they act like an ass. I'm talking about people I've worked with or others along the trail of life.

Like many, I'm for people to able to marry whoever they want. I also know that the political reality is such that we need to get civil unions and domestic partnerships immediately. I firmly think Obama would fight for that and it would lead to full marriage rights for all.

Like many others, we are on your side and many of us have done what we could to fight back against homophobia. I ask you to read Obama's statement again and see what he thinks:

"I have clearly stated my belief that gays and lesbians are our brothers and sisters and should be provided the respect, dignity, and rights of 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.

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."

http://pride.barackobama.com/page/content/lgbthome

I believe he will do as he says. The McClurkin event was an unfortunate event and I very much doubt anything like that will ever happen again as long as Obama is involved in the process.

[TankLV]

20. more bullshit - more trying to defenend the INDEFENSIBLE...

disgusting...

[Beausoir]

32. Yes. There is NO way to spin away what Obama did. He hired a gay basher to garner votes.

He has not apologized. He never will.

He does not recognize that he did anything wrong.

[Sandaasu]

22. If he were to apologize for giving this bigot a stage so speak on, it would help.

I'd probably be out there on the ground for him myself if he were to do this. All of the talk about helping us is hard to take seriously when he won't even do that.

[mzmolly]

23. Very well said.

Thanks ZZ. I'm not an Obama supporter, but I know that Obama has many supporters, some of whom ARE gay. They are obviously more concerned with Obama's record on this issue than the fact that he shared a stage with a mis-informed bafoon.

[Flabbergasted]

30. A lot of hyperbole about the Donnie McClurkin incident....

Although it was probably a bad decision in retrospect, its hardly worth going over and over and over and over and over blah blah blah.

This has become merely a way to score political points.

Obama's record is good on civil rights.

[zulchzulu]

40. Agreed n/t

[Beausoir]

31. Obama willingly hired a filthy gay-basher to voice his campaign. I will NEVER forgive that.

Obama gay-bashed to pander to the right-wing.

[zulchzulu]

34. Pick out the gay bashing in this statement

Obama made this comment regarding McClurkin, who played one night in a small town in South Carolina with three other performers at a concert where an openly gay minister opened the ceremonies condemning homophobia:

"I have clearly stated my belief that gays and lesbians are our brothers and sisters and should be provided the respect, dignity, and rights of 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.

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."

http://pride.barackobama.com/page/content/lgbthome

Wow. What a gay basher....

:sarcasm:

[FredScuttle]

35. "DONNIE DOES NOT WANT TO CHANGE GAYS WHO ARE HAPPY IN THEIR LIVES"

That is a direct quote from Obama's post-concert press release. Care to defend that?

[Egnever]

38. Thanks for taking the time

I think you are absolutely correct though the people pounding this over and over have no desire whatsoever to support Obama and never had. It is being used continuosly time after time here as a club to beat obama with for political points. It has nothing to do with what Obama has actually done to stand up for gay rights or his continued willingness to do so.

Again thanks for taking the time to put this post together. I know it is very intimidating to venture into this subject as immediately you are villified as a homophobe by the cast of characters that see this as an oportunity to bash Obama in order to somehow turn people towards thier candidate.

Its not easy to stand up against the disgust and gay hatter acusations thrown at you by the same cast of characters over and over. You do yourself proud to stand up to it. Hats off to ya!

[zulchzulu]

39. Thanks for reading n/t

[Anouka]

42. I agree with you.

"think you are absolutely correct though the people pounding this over and over have no desire whatsoever to support Obama and never had. It is being used continuosly time after time here as a club to beat obama with for political points. It has nothing to do with what Obama has actually done to stand up for gay rights or his continued willingness to do so."

That's about all there is to say about this. Thank you for posting this.

Zulchzulu give substance of Obama's stances, and his message afterwards, along with the incident itself. The 'Obama is a homophobe who supports killing our gay children' don't do anything of the sort.

Zulchzulu gives people information, so that they can make up their own minds. The 'Obama is a homophobe who supports killing our gay children' do nothing of the sort.

[Anouka]

41. Thank you for posting this.

This is information, not a pavlovian attack.