Obama Campaign Releases Open Letter From Supporters On Controversial Reverend

Senator Barack Obama's campaign has been struggling with its decision to hold a gospel tour in South Carolina with an anti-homosexual pastor, Donnie McClurkin.

After much criticism from gay rights groups and others, they tried inviting an openly gay minister to appear before McClurkin. But that didn't work - the Human Rights Campaign's Joe Solomonese expressed more disappointment in having the pastor on the stage and only said he hoped Obama "will move forward and facilitate face to face meetings with religious leaders, like Rev. McClurkin, and the GLBT community to confront the issue of homophobia."

Now the senator's campaign is trying to show that he's doing just that. An open letter signed by 16 LGBT and black religious leaders says that Obama is reaching out to bring blacks and homosexuals together. But Obama makes clear that even if he disagrees with African-Americans who are anti-gay, he still wants their votes.

"We believe that Barack Obama is constructing a tent big enough for LGBT Americans who know that their sexual orientation is an innate and treasured part of their being, and for African American ministers and citizens who believe that their religion prevents them from fully embracing their gay brothers and sisters," the letter states. "And if we are to confront our shared challenges we have to join together, build on common ground, and engage in a civil dialogue even when we disagree."

Update: AmericaBlog's John Aravosis, who has been driving this story, reacts to the letter here.

The full letter with its signatories can be read after the jump.

To Whom It May Concern:

As representatives of Barack Obama supporters from the African American religious community and the gay community, we are issuing a statement together for the first time. Our letter addresses the recent issue of Pastor Donnie McClurkin singing at Senator Obama's "Embrace the Change" concert series. In the midst of division, we hope and believe that this is a moment to bring together communities that have been divided for far too long.

A few things are clear.



First, Pastor McClurkin believes and has stated things about sexual orientation that are deeply hurtful and offensive to many Americans, most especially to gay Americans. This cannot and should not be denied.



At the same time, a great many African Americans share Pastor McClurkin's beliefs. This also cannot be ignored.



Finally, we believe that the only way for these two sides to find common ground is to do so together.



Not at arms length. Not in a war of words with press and pundits. Only together.



It is clear that Barack Obama is the only candidate who has made bringing these two often disparate groups together a goal. In gatherings of LGBT Americans and African Americans of faith, Obama has stated that all individuals should be afforded full civil rights regardless of their sexual orientation, and that homophobia must be eradicated in every corner of our nation. If we are to end homophobia and secure full civil rights for gay Americans, then we need an advocate within the Black community like Barack Obama.



At the same time, while Obama has said that he "strongly disagrees" with Pastor McClurkin's comments, he will not exclude from his campaign the many Americans including many in the African American community who believe the same as Pastor McClurkin.



We believe that Barack Obama is constructing a tent big enough for LGBT Americans who know that their sexual orientation is an innate and treasured part of their being, and for African American ministers and citizens who believe that their religion prevents them from fully embracing their gay brothers and sisters. And if we are to confront our shared challenges we have to join together, build on common ground, and engage in a civil dialogue even when we disagree.



We also ask Senator Obama's critics to consider the alternatives. Would we prefer a candidate who ignores the realities in the African American community and cuts off millions of Blacks who believe things offensive to many Americans? Or a panderer who tells African Americans what they want to hear, at the expense of our gay brothers and sisters? Or would we rather stand with Barack Obama, who speaks truth in love to both sides, pulling no punches but foreclosing no opportunities to engage?



We stand with Senator Obama. We stand with him because of the solutions he is proposing for our nation. We stand with him because of his character and his judgment. But the most important reason we stand with him is because today, as he has done all along, Barack Obama is causing us to stand together.



That's the kind of President we need, and we are proud to support him.



Sincerely,



Rev. Dr. Otis Moss, Jr.
Olivet Institutional Baptist Church
Chair, Obama National African American Religious Leaders Working Group
Cleveland, Ohio



Stampp Corbin
Chair, Obama National LGBT Leadership Council
Former Member of Human Rights Campaign Board of Directors
Columbus, Ohio



Tobias Barrington Wolff
Chair, Obama LGBT Policy Committee
Professor of Law, University of Pennsylvania Law School
Philadelphia, PA



The Reverend Stephen John Thurston
President
National Baptist Convention of America
Chicago, IL



The Reverend Alvin Love
President
Baptist General State Convention of Illinois, Inc.



Bishop E. Earl McCloud, Jr.
Office of Ecumenical & Urban Affairs
African Methodist Episcopal Church
Atlanta, GA
Steven Latasa-Nicks
President, The Phelon Group, Inc.
Former Human Rights Campaign Board of Governors
New York, NY



Maxim Thorne
Former COO, Human Rights Campaign
Paterson, NJ



Phil Burgess
Former Human Rights Campaign Board of Directors
Chicago, IL



Rev. Dr. Barbara Williams-Skinner
Skinner Leadership Institute
Tracy's Landing, MD



Rev. Michael Pfleger
St. Sabina, Chicago

Rev. Edward Taylor
San Jose, CA



The Reverend Robert H. Thompson
Exeter, NH



Sharon Malheiro
LGBT Activist
Des Moines, IA



Hon. Jon Cooper
Majority Leader, Suffolk County (NY) Legislature
Rev. Paul Hobson Sadler, Sr., Pastor
Mt. Zion Congregational UCC

Comments

[VOTER]

01:31 PM on 10/26/2007

Today's Wonkette Article Headline:

"Obama's Ex-Gay Gospel Singer: Maybe Not So Ex-Gay?"

Interesting read................

[Qbear]

01:17 PM on 10/26/2007

"AFFA Reacts to Ex-Gay Obama Tour
With it’s oh-so-spot-on new tagline, “Acceptance Without Exception,” the Alliance for Full Acceptance sent a call out to members this afternoon to let the Obama campaign know if they’re upset about the anti-gay gospel singers joining Obama on his three-city tour.

Donnie McClurkin’s ministry only serves to create an environment where discrimination and prejudice flourish, something we do not expect from Senator Obama in his campaign. Mr. McClurkin’s stance toward the GLBT community rejects the DNC plan for inclusion and acceptance.

Many people have asked, “What can we do?”
· If Senator Obama wants to raise the issue of homophobia in our community, it ought to be done in clear and constructive ways.
· Tell him.
· If you think it is wrong to include in a presidential campaign a preacher who clearly seeks to demean healthy GLBT people choosing to live openly and honestly, contact Senator Obama’s campaign.
· Tell him:

Obama Campaign headquarters in Chicago: [phone]
http://gaycharleston.ccpblogs.com/2007/10/23/affa-reacts-to-ex-gay-obama-tour/

[Qbear]

01:33 PM on 10/26/2007

I called the Obama campaign and told them in no uncertain terms that if Obama appears on stage with mcClurkin he lost my queer vote, and he'll lose the gay community. If I was in South Carolina I would be at the candle light vigil outside the concert.
The Obama campaign may not realize they will make many gay-friendly African Americans very uncomfortable leaving their FRIENDS outside on the sidewalk to attend this tour.

[bluestems]

01:56 AM on 10/27/2007

That sounds a lot like Bush's "you're either with me or against me." We may not like the beliefs and values of everyone in this world, but Obama has got someone like McClurkin to listen to him... this is a step in the right direction. Despite McClurkin's anti-gay beliefs, he is still willing to support (and vote) for Obama. Obama, who supports civil marriages and equal rights for LBGT community, remember?

[Qbear]

01:16 PM on 10/26/2007

"Damage Control: Obama's campaign is working overtime to put the clamps on a growing controversy. The campaign has invited gospel singer Donnie McClurkin to participate in an upcoming tour, something which has angered gay activists because the artist has said in the past that homosexuality is a choice. Yesterday, the campaign held a conference call with gay and lesbian activists in South Carolina to smooth thing over – but says it won't remove McClurkin from the tour.

South Carolina Gay and Lesbian Pride Movement's past president Tony Snell said after the call that his group planned to hold a protest vigil outside of this Sunday's event, according to the Associate Press. "This guy has a reputation. He has a past. It's well known," Snell said.

Obama spokesman Kevin Griffis said, "the Obama campaign is trying to bridge real divides and bring people together. Two things are certain: We will never be able to bridge those divides if we are unwilling to listen to voices we don't agree with, and we will never change anyone's mind if we refuse to talk to him."
http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2007/10/26/politics/horserace/entry3414223.shtml

[Qbear]

01:15 PM on 10/26/2007

"Mr. Solmonese said in a statement that he appreciated the campaign’s invitation to Mr. Sidden, but added: “There is no gospel in Donnie McClurkin’s message for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people and their allies. That’s a message that certainly doesn’t belong on any presidential candidate’s stage.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/25/us/politics/25obama.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&ref=politics&adxnnlx=1193418795-h+Czt8pv9bei+tyWx/afCg

[Qbear]

01:11 PM on 10/26/2007

"OBAMA: “Obama’s campaign held a hurriedly put together conference call Thursday night with gay and lesbian leaders in South Carolina to discuss the candidate’s gospel tour,” the Columbia State reports. “Afterward, the South Carolina Gay and Lesbian Pride Movement decided to hold a vigil outside the Sunday concert in Columbia to protest gospel singer Donnie McClurkin.” The group’s president said Obama’s addition of an openly gay pastor “doesn’t right the program.”
http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/10/26/432482.aspx

[starrianna]

01:16 PM on 10/26/2007

wouldn't it be ironic if Obama got thrown under the bus...

the bus from Priscilla, Queen of the Desert!

[Qbear]

12:37 PM on 10/26/2007

This gospel HATE-FEST would be comparable to a gay fundraiser, putting Mammy dolls as centerpieces on tables, and have an Al Jolsen impersonator as the talent. How would Black voters tollerate that?

Tolleration and RESPECT are two way streets.

[AAnon]

01:22 PM on 10/26/2007

Here, here!

[starrianna]

12:14 PM on 10/26/2007

OPEN LETTER TO BARACK OBAMA

Dear Mr. Obama:

Here are the talking points Pastor McClurkin will go over in front of your audience:

(1) the BLACKS ARE TRYING TO KILL YOUR CHILDREN!
(2) that AMERICA IS AT WAR WITH THE BLACKS!
(3) Being BLACK is a CURSE!

Thank you very much.
Good luck with your "Inclusion" Tour!

[starrianna]

12:19 PM on 10/26/2007

whoops...Oh My God, I am so sorry.

Please scratch out "Black" and/or "Blacks" and re-insert "Gay" and/or "Gays", where appropriate.

Thanks. Cheers!

[starrianna]

12:20 PM on 10/26/2007

[Gosh, that would have been embarassing, don't you think?]

[geobushono]

11:23 AM on 10/26/2007

Contrary to their Teachings, The Bronze age mythologies do not respond with kindness.....and have NO PROBLEM casting the first stone......those people are ignorant bigots....and because they're black, they get a pass?....no, no, no...a thousand times no.

John Edwards...champion for the working men and women of America.

[Robinsong]

11:12 AM on 10/26/2007

Well I couldn't be prouder of my candidate standing tall on the premise of his campaign aspiring to be a uniter in the face of all the Hillary Hoopers and the blowhard bigots in here. None of you pseudo-hysterics were supporting Barack in the first place so your opinion isn't worth a glass of warm spit.

For the rest of the thoughtful and undecided voters on this thread I hope you can see the philosophy and message of the Obama campaign at work. I highly commend you to this man of courage and integrity and leadership in the face of cynical politics as usual. The "my way or the highway" intolerants who are doing all the raving and ranting in light of the very rational, civil and constructive process that Senator Obama has brought to this issue. For the rest of the haters (self-haters mostly) who enjoy cat fight politics and were never in the Obama camp kindly go and join the Hatfields, the McCoys or any another candidate of your choice. We won't miss ya!

[Qbear]

12:13 PM on 10/26/2007

Don't F*CKIN announce who I support or supported ...sh*twit!

Go sell your MOTHERF*CKIN tour of the Audacity of HYPOCRICY, and I'll see you in the "also ran crowd" the day after the Primaries!

You really are a G^D DAMN piece of work telling voters to suck up this HATE-FEST tour, and then you call US self-hating when we denounce it.
What makes you think you know ONE F*CKIN moment of a gay's or lesbian's life?

that is classic...adding INSULT to INJURY

[arethabaez]

02:45 PM on 10/26/2007

Bayard Rustin is up in heaven watching you and crying, Barack Obama. Shame Shame Shame. Bayard still has to be humiliated with all this smack? All the crap he suffered from JE Hoover,the Dixiecrats,and even his own fellow Black civil rights leaders. Hasn't he paid his dues yet? Why couldn't you have checked with Jessie and Al on this one? They made it possible for you to be where you're at today. Dump this freak! NEW BASIC RULE OF CAMPAIGNING: No racists,homophobes,sexists etc on stage with any DEM candidates.
PS. Let the repbubbas hang out with these freaky haters, we don't need 'em messing up our reputation.

[starrianna]

12:15 PM on 10/26/2007

Your candidate is a fool and a neo-racist. Read comments above and below.

[weddedgay]

11:05 AM on 10/26/2007

I have backed Barak Obama since before he announced. As a gay American however the issue of "Rev." McCulkin is a deal breaker. Touring with this gut is akin to Rev. King having David Duke around because 'he needs their support'.

I cannot take back the $1000.00 I have given Obama, but I will give no more.

[Robinsong]

11:17 AM on 10/26/2007

If you don't think Dr. King would have reached out and welcomed an opportunity for a dialogue and healing with David Duke, assuming Duke was willing, then you clearly didn't know Dr. King!

[starrianna]

12:16 PM on 10/26/2007

"I have known Dr. Martin Luther King, and honey, Mr. Barack Obama is NO Martin Luther King!"

SNAP!

[BrianZ]

12:19 PM on 10/26/2007

A dialogue is one thing ... hiring the man to shill for him to reach another group is another.

[dossier]

09:46 AM on 10/26/2007

Obama is a standard politician, a phony, almost as bad as the Breck Girl, Edwards (love those $400- haircuts you MAN of the People!), It's Hillary or I will vote Republican!

[JimR]

10:12 AM on 10/26/2007

"It's Hillary or I will vote Republican!"

There's not much difference, really.

[starrianna]

12:17 PM on 10/26/2007

Oh please!

By including disgusting haters in his campaign, Obama IS the Republican alternative!

Read comments above and below.
Obama is done.

[VOTER]

07:46 AM on 10/26/2007

Senator Obama STOP this campaign MADNESS.

YOU HAVE AN APOLOGY TO GIVE FOR OFFENDING SO MANY. THEN KICK SOME OF YOUR "BRAIN-DEAD" STAFFERS OFF OF YOUR BUS.

Invite your distant lesbian cousin,

Cheney's daughter, her partner and their baby to join

you on your campaign.

She and her partner are gay Christians. Remind the Southern Voters they have proven by their past votes that homosexuality is NOT A SIN.

[homovivens]

03:08 AM on 10/26/2007

Obama -- supposedly pro gay rights -- by choosing the company of and championing (to be read, putting on stage and glad-handing) an anti-gay-rights, pseudo-ex-gay McClurkin (like ex-gays exist) has been confronted by and is attempting to refute the law of noncontradiction. Obama’s position sounds reminiscent of Kerry’s faux pas, “I’m for it when I’m not against it.” As an author C.S. Lewis quoted somewhere: “You can’t have it both ways. And no snickering at the limitations of human logic. Amend the dilemma.” If discrimination based on race, religion or sexual identity -- meant to subjugate, denigrate and deny certain human rights to a minority that have been granted to a majority -- is not an evil against which one stands proudly and consistently, on principle, then that man is no leader. What is judgment if one cannot "discriminate" between good and evil, between integrity and political expediency? Civil rights for gays, i.e., full legal inclusion, are not negotiable.

[starrianna]

12:17 PM on 10/26/2007

Obama isn't pro- or anti-anything.

Except Pro-Obama. Nothing more.

[DeSwiss]

02:19 AM on 10/26/2007

That letter doesn't change anything in my mind. And I noticed that there was not one minister from a southern state to sign-off on it. They most likely couldn't find any that would.

And using the logic (such as it is) that the letter advances as Obama's rationale for staying the homophobic-course, then are we to expect to see him being on stage elsewhere with other people and groups that hold extreme and/or homophobic views? The Minute Men? The CWA? The KKK? Oh, that's right, they're not Dems.

But those same conclusions that they draw about McClurkin could be said about the divisiveness and hate of other groups as well. As a matter of fact, they're usually the same sentiments held by these RightWingNutjob conservative groups.

And before I'm flamed by the Obamaites, I'm not giving Hillary nor any of the others any passes either. In point of fact, you guys need to stop trying to defend Obama's stupidity by pointing at others who're just as bad. It still doesn't excuse him.

All that this has shown me is that Obama isn't ready for the big leagues. If he ever will be....

[Qbear]

01:32 AM on 10/26/2007

Obama is showing America is TWO LESSONS.

FIRST...he is SO desperate to win a primary no other core belief (ie. LGBT Americans should be afforded equal justice and respect) DOESN'T MATTER.

SECOND...LGBT voters don't matter to him, or he thinks we have no other choice.

the first makes him a hypocrite , and the second makes him WRONG.

[kj593]

01:48 AM on 10/26/2007

Qbear:
Pardon my language, but you are full of isht.
When did he abandon equal justice and respect for LGBT? When he denounced Mr. McClurkin's views? Or by inviting one of the most popular gospel singers to perform at, G-d forbid, a gospel concert?
LGBT voters don't matter to him? Why, because he's not accepting your cynical view that the only reason Mr. McClurkin is invited to perform at a gospel tour is because of his homophobic view? Definitely not to sing gospel music; has to be an effort to communicate to the black bigot community that he's just string the LGBT community along (his recordon LGBT issues just reflects political savvy, not a commitment to LGBT issues).
The first makes you a cynical racists, the second just a racist.

[Qbear]

02:23 AM on 10/26/2007

Don't pardon my language you motherf*ckin BREEDER PIG! because I spit it with as much venonm as I can muster.
I said NOT one word which could cause you to label me racist.
McClurkin isn't the only rabidly homobigotted performer on this tour, there are THREE of them.

[BrianZ]

02:32 AM on 10/26/2007

Don't think for a second calling someone racist is going to make them back down from your bigoted point of view that it's ok to be a homophobe, or at the very least to promote one.

Not one person is making an issue of race but you.

Flame away little mind, flame away.