Just over two months away from the first voting in the 2008 presidential primaries, Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama is launching a new push for voters in the Black community that has enlisted the help of performers with notoriously anti-gay positions.
According to the Obama campaign Web site, the campaign is hosting a gospel concert tour this weekend ( Oct. 26-28 ) in the early-primary state of South Carolina. The headliners include such gospel stars as Donnie McClurkin, Mary Mary, Hezekiah Walker, Byron Cage and the Might Clouds of Joy. The Web site says the three concerts are intended to bring 'people of all faiths together to put their faith into action.'
But the campaign's willingness to include McClurkin in that effort has a growing number of LGBT leaders angry. In numerous public statements, McClurkin has let it be known that his faith includes the belief that homosexuality is 'abominable' and a danger to children.
'Homosexuality has really ravished our children,' said McClurkin, in an interview on FamilyChristian.com . He referred to homosexuality as 'abominable' in a 2004 interview with a Christian magazine in Britain.
In numerous interviews, McClurkin has made widely known that he has struggled against his own attractions to other men—attractions which he says are the result of having been raped by male relatives twice when he was just a child.
'I was stunned that the campaign would even consider attaching itself to individuals who had taken such a public stance in opposition to LGBT issues,' said Alexander Robinson, a longtime gay activist and executive director of the National Black Justice Coalition. 'Donnie McClurkin has said that he is at war with the gay community, so it seems inconsistent with what the senator has said or even his own history and voting record.'
Truth Wins Out, an organization that seeks to counter hostile messages about homosexuality and 'ex-gay' activities, issued a press release Oct. 22, calling on Obama to 'to immediately distance his campaign from 'ex-gay' preacher and gospel singer Donnie McClurkin.'
Responding to questions about the growing criticism in the LGBT community, the Obama campaign issued a statement from the senator on the evening of Oct. 22. In that four-sentence statement, the senator said, '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.' He also states, 'I strongly disagree with Reverend McClurkin's views…' but he does not indicate that he or the campaign will take any steps to remove McClurkin from the program—and that's what angers Robinson and others.
'He condemns homophobia in one sentence, but gives a platform to the homophobe,' said Wayne Besen, head of Truth Wins Out. 'You've got to be kidding me….It's like he's saying this is just a disagreement. It's not just a disagreement. It's repugnant. Obama's someone with a great record and he needs to show some real leadership, not just talking points. Don't tell me you've stood up,' said Besen. 'Stand up.'
Robinson said Tuesday that the Black Justice Coalition has expressed its continued concern and asked for a meeting with the senator. The letter states that while the coalition appreciates the sentiments expressed in his statement, 'actions speak much louder than words.'
McClurkin is due to perform Sun., Oct. 28, in Columbia, S.C.
Joining McClurkin on Sunday, and performing with others on Friday in North Charleston, will be a sister duo called Mary Mary. According to gay freelance music journalist Clay Cane, the sisters, Erica and Tina Atkins, have a large gay following. He interviewed them in December and asked them how they feel about that.
'I don't agree with the lifestyle, but I love them,' said Erica. 'They can come to the concert; I'm going to hug them just like I hug everybody else. They have issues and need someone to encourage them like everybody else—just like the murderer, just like the one full of pride, just like the prostitute—everybody needs God.'
Tina echoed those comments, saying, 'We don't necessarily agree with the lifestyle, but we don't pride ourselves on bashing.'
'Everyone has things in their life that they need to correct…' Tina continued. 'Even though that's the way we feel, we don't bash, we don't do that kind of thing and we embrace everybody who enjoys our music.'
Cane, who said he has supported Obama's presidential campaign, said the inclusion of McClurkin and Mary Mary has caused him to start rethinking his support.
'I know he's not for gay marriage and some of us have accepted that,' said Cane. 'But for Obama to have Donnie McClurkin—he's made some horribly homophobic comments. I think the LGBT community should raise an eyebrow. I like Obama, I've been supporting him, but this is problematic for me. He's supporting people who have made terrible, homophobic comments.'
The Black Justice Coalition indicated that McClurkin, Mary Mary and another performer for the Obama gospel tour, Hezekiah Walker, are 'three of gospel music's most openly homophobic artists.'
Stampp Corbin, the national LGBT liaison for the Obama campaign, declined to comment about the controversy when contacted Oct. 22 but said he was making his views known to the campaign. He did not return a reporter's call Oct. 23.
