This Is Where The Story Should End…Imagine, a newspaper actually interviewing the topic of the story. Crazy!

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-1024mcclurkinoct24,1,4690186.story

Gospel singer says he is not anti-gay

Gospel music superstar Donnie McClurkin says he was surprised to wake up Tuesday morning to a media firestorm.

The 47-year-old Grammy Award-winning musician is scheduled to perform this weekend at Sen. Barack Obama’s three-day concert series in South Carolina. But in the wake of accusations by a gay-rights group that McClurkin falsely asserts that homosexuality is a choice, bloggers are calling for the Democratic presidential candidate to cancel the singer’s Sunday night appearance, saying McClurkin’s views are anti-gay and incite hate.

McClurkin told The Associated Press on Monday that “sexuality, everything is a matter of choice.” But on Tuesday he told the Tribune that his ideals, and most importantly his ministry, were severely misconstrued.

“I don’t believe that even from a religious point of view that Jesus ever discriminated toward anyone, nor do I,” McClurkin said in an exclusive interview with the Tribune. “Most of the things that were said were totally out of context and then other things weren’t true.”

“My only concern is to be in place with Sen. Obama in unity and bring all the factors together for the sake of change,” he said. “That’s my only thing. Of course some agents have twisted it as though he [Obama] were embracing a racist or a Nazi, and that is anything but true.”

McClurkin and Obama first connected last month in California at an Oprah Winfrey fundraiser for the Illinois senator.

“I believe in his stance. I believe in his platform and his agenda. So when they asked me if I would be a part of it, there was no problem,” said McClurkin, who has performed at both parties’ conventions and identifies himself as a Democrat. “We don’t have to agree on everything, but we do have to agree on the main thing: that there needs to be change and I believe he is the candidate to bring it.”

For years, McClurkin has talked from the pulpit about how he was raped by a male family member as a child. It was that act, he has said, that sent him into living as a gay man for the better part of 20 years. He now says he is straight and that his ministry is open to those who say they no longer want to live as a gay person. What he doesn’t do, he says, is crusade against homosexuality.

“There’s never been a statement made by me about curing homosexuality. People are using that in order to incite anger and to twist my whole platform on it. There’s no crusade for curing it or to convert everyone. This is just for those who come to me and ask for change.”

 

Hey! Another article on that dumb story…wait, that quote sounds familiar…

http://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/2007/10/obama-blogger-d.html

Obama Blogger Debate Rages Over Anti-Gay Gospel Singer’s Inclusion in Campaign

By Sarah Lai Stirland October 23, 2007 | 8:33:00 AMCategories: Election ‘08

Barack Obama’s decision to include Grammy-award-winning anti-gay gospel singer Donnie McClurkin in his campaign has set off a firestorm of debate among bloggers on Obama’s site, as well as across the wider blogosphere.

The Obama campaign announced last Tuesday that a group of top gospel music artists plan on embarking on an “Embrace the Change” concert tour that will be part of Obama’s South Carolina swing later this month.

In addition to his music, McClurkin is known for his publicly-disclosed struggles with homosexuality. And he’s been bashed online for performing at the Republican National Convention in 2004. McClurkin defended himself in a Washington Post article by noting that he’s also performed at a Democratic National Convention.

Bloggers and fundraisers writing on Obama’s site sparred over the candidate’s decision to include McClurkin. In the process, they opened a fascinating window into their fractious world.

“I’m tempted to ask Barack for my money back,” wrote Peter from Portland, Ore. on Monday. “Having McClurkin headline is nothing but crass, base pandering. Barack should be ashamed.”

But here’s Michael from Tonawanda, New York:

I just want to put in my support for Senator Barack Obama. It is hypocritical of the far-left community to make such a noise about Donnie McClurkin, when they love to lambaste the Bush Administration and Republicans as the new “thought police.” That attack is at times warranted, which makes it even more important that we are not hypocritical. I hope Senator Obama will keep the wonderful Donnie McClurkin on and use it to show how he will bring people together. That you don’t need to agree on everything to work with someone.

 

Obama, Donnie McClurkin and the GLBT Community

I just want to put in my support for Senator Barack Obama. It is hypocritical of the far-left community to make such a noise about Donnie McClurkin, when they love to lambaste the Bush Administration and Republicans as the new “thought police.” That attack is at times warranted, which makes it even more important that we are not hypocritical. I hope Senator Obama will keep the wonderful Donnie McClurkin on and use it to show how he will bring people together. That you don’t need to agree on everything to work with someone.

Donnie has said nothing objectionable…he has only talked about that which is personal to him. Donnie has actually spoken about how he is pro-gay rights, recognizing that even though, in his mind, they are leading a lifestyle that is optional. Which of course, it ultimately is, just as a heterosexual does not have to engage in heterosexual acts, but that they are people and that a homosexual should not have to die without his/her loved one because they can’t get into the visiting room, etc. To shut up a person about his faith is not the Democratic way to proceed.

I know Barack Obama will stand up for the free expression of views. If the homosexual community wastes their fire on someone who is not saying anything reprehensible, when those of us who are pro-gay rights (including myself) will not be paid attention to when a real crisis occurs.

Thank you Senator Obama for trying to create an America where all legitimate viewpoints are respected.