Wayne Besen - Author, Activist, Columnist, Public Speaker

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

(Weekly Column)

The Obama campaign hit a sour note when it chose to woo African American voters in South Carolina this weekend with a gospel concert featuring virulently homophobic and "ex-gay" gospel crooner Donnie McClurkin.

It is a shame, and quite ironic, that Barack Obama is in the center of this explosive controversy. The Senator has a solid record on GLBT rights, gay people are active in his campaign and by all accounts he is an ally to our community. Indeed, I personally admire Obama and think he would make a good president.

But, the embrace of McClurkin, an extremist who refers to homosexuality as a "curse," is downright insulting. On more than one occasion, McClurkin has used his celebrity to demean GLBT people and disseminate blatantly false information about our lives.

"There are countless numbers of people who are not happy in this lifestyle and want to be freed from it," said McClurkin. "They were thrust into homosexuality by neglect, abuse and molestation, and want desperately to live normal lives and one day have a happy home and family."

McClurkin's explanations for the etiology of homosexuality are patently absurd, unscientific and have no basis in fact. I can't imagine why the Obama campaign would choose to associate with a man who is so closely identified with hatred and discrimination. Other despicable quotes from McClurkin include:

** "Homosexuality has really ravished our children. It started in my generation. I was touched by it and I struggled with it and all that for years and there was nobody to deal with it. I started dealing with it in my sermons and even when we do our concerts." (An interview with www.FamilyChristian.com)

** "Everybody is going to the same hell. The religious hypocrite will go to the same hell as the murderer and homosexual. My job is to say that sin is wrong and kill the sin, not the sinner." (The Voice, 16 July 2001)

** Commenting on New York City's Harvey Milk School, which caters to gay students, he said, "The gloves are off. And if there's going to be a war, there's going to be a war. But it will be a war with a purpose." (CBN, 700 Club Sept. 23, 2003)

In reaction to the controversy, the campaign released a disappointing and inadequate boilerplate statement that reiterated Obama's fine record, but did not commit to canceling McClurkin's toxic appearance. According to the statement:

"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 of 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."

So, instead of canning McClurkin, the GLBT community got canned talking points. In one sentence, Obama condemns homophobia, but then does nothing to deny a homophobe a platform to spew grotesque stereotypes about gay people. What is most offensive is that the campaign minimizes McClurkin's comments to a mere "disagreement." It's not just a disagreement. It's repugnant.

Obama blew his chance for a Sister Souljah moment, where he could have scored major leadership points by emphatically dumping McClurkin. Such a move would be great politics and have shifted many fence-sitting voters in his favor. But, instead of standing up to such bigotry in the here and now, he released a statement telling us how he has stood up in the past.

However, this imbroglio is really not about Obama's missed opportunity - it is about starting a conversation on the expectations GLBT voters have for our "friends." We are five percent of the electorate (much higher in the Democratic primaries) and give generously with our time and money. Just as it was no longer acceptable for candidates to speak at the once-segregated Bob Jones University in 2000, times have changed and it is no longer suitable for "gay-friendly" politicians to court homophobes in southern states.

If McClurkin's bilious statements were directed towards any other minority, he would not be let within a mile of any campaign. The GLBT community will no longer sit by idly and be the exception to the basic rules of decency and common sense. Our votes will not be taken for granted, but earned - and Obama and the rest of the pack can take that as the gospel.

20 Comments:

I suspect that Obama is bending to the anti-gay prejudice of black people in search of votes. Most of my Afro-American friends and acquaintances are voting for Hillary. I thought they'd go for Obama, but clearly that's not the case. Maybe Obama's holding unto McClurkin is a way to attract black voters? Chris, Robert what do you guys think?
posted by Anonymous, at 10/24/2007 8:06 AM

Richard, this is a typical case of politicians using political expediency, they all do it, including Clinton and Edwards. They'll sell out to anyone who will give them their vote even if it means snubbing us. We've always been on the bottom rung of the ladder, we've never been considered high priority because the spineless people running are more interested in their careers than about equality issues. They're not affected by discrimination, WE are.

African-American voters for the most part don't even equate our struggle with theirs. In fact, they find it quite offensive. Obama is going nowhere. Personally, I don't like any of them.
posted by Anonymous, at 10/24/2007 8:36 AM

Richard, I think the Obama campaign has made a calculated strategy decision. Don't be fooled; they knew exactly who Donnie McClurkin was before they booked him. Obama is desperate to stop Hillary Clinton and must do so in Iowa, New Hampshire or South Carolina.

If she sweeps early, the race is over for Obama and John Edwards, too. The Obama campaign has determined that Hillary has the gays, so he's decided that the only way he's going to break through is with black voters. In 2004, George W. Bush received a big "boost" from black voters. 20% went for Bush solely and completely due to their homophobic worldview.

That 20% would be awfully helpful to Obama in South Carolina, a state that even turned John McCain into a temporary bigot in 2000 when he felt the need to waffle on the wisdom of flying a confederate flag from the state house.
posted by Anonymous, at 10/24/2007 10:50 AM

Chris, this only backs up what I said about blacks not recognizing that our struggle is not the same as theirs. 20% of the black votes for Bush is a huge number by any standards and its the majority view among blacks, that ours has nothing to do with the civil rights movement. Its sad, but its true, they don't like us and religion plays a huge role in the black community which is where all this homophobia is coming from. Obama knows this only too well. What a slime ball he is. Its all over for him anyway, he's going nowhere. If Clinton is lucky enough to get the nomination, I only hope she doesn't pick him as her running mate, but knowing how expedient these people are, it wouldn't surprise me if she does because she'll be cornering the black vote in her favor because of him. Its sickening when you think of it.
posted by Anonymous, at 10/24/2007 12:49 PM

Robert, the black community in America has disappointed me to no end on the gay issue. Their homophobia is profoundly disgusting, and even sickening in light of the fact that they of all people should know how it feels to be marginalized. They have chosen to allow themselves to be led by their anger and frustration at their own failings in life, failings which they consistently choose to blame on outside forces.

The black community is simply not an intellectual community, and we shouldn't expect them to do the right thing on the gay issue. I have heard them say that they "don't want to be compared to" the gays. THEY don't want to be compared to US?? Please bear with me while I try to get my hysterical laughter under control. If this bunch of uneducated, unrestrained homophobes doesn't want to be in the same room with us gays, we should count our blessings!
posted by Anonymous, at 10/24/2007 1:39 PM

Chris L,

I have to check you for that racist comment.

you need to know that some of those "non-intellectual" folks are lgbt and just as we get angry at homophobic stuff that comes out of the mouths of our heterosexual counterparts, we also get pissed at racist tripe coming out of the mouths of our gay counterparts.

When gay folks say racist comments and heterosexual African-Americans say homophobic comments, it is obvious that NEITHER group realizes the commonality of their struggles.
posted by BlackTsunami, at 10/24/2007 5:14 PM

Chris, your points made are taken and thank you for commenting on my mine. However, I wouldn't go so far as to say that "the black community is simply not an intellectual community". There are some who are, but unfortunately those who are do not or can't speak up and take them on, its still very taboo to be black and open in America, a double whammy if you like. Keith Boynton is one notable African-American who has been very vocal on antigay discrimination within his own community. We need more like him to represent his people.
posted by Anonymous, at 10/25/2007 8:42 AM

I thought about my original comment for a long time, and I should have said it differently. For that, I apologize, as hurting anyone is definitely not my goal. I was trying to convey my profound disappointment that a large number in the black community don't "want to be compared to" us. That sentiment is very hurtful to me, and perhaps I responded in anger when reminded of it by this story. I do feel that there needs to be a profound change when it comes to homophobia in the black community. I think the best way to do that is for both white and black people to stand together, and I for one would be proud to be a member of that united group.
posted by Anonymous, at 10/25/2007 9:05 AM

On that same note, the lgbt community and particularly our leadership needs to be at the forefront of developing or mentoring lgbt leaders in the black community.

I am in South Carolina and have been involved in many endeavors to cultivate such a thing. And believe me, one of our biggest obstacles have been the patronizing attitudes of some gay groups and ignorant ideas from some members of the lgbt community that we are preaching racism.

The fact of the matter is that if you desire black lgbt leadership or want to encourage lgbts of color to be open, you should not undermine efforts to allow these things to happen.

You cannot grow roses without planting and cultivating the seeds.
posted by BlackTsunami, at 10/25/2007 11:50 AM

I no longer support Obama. What a sellout.

Marc
posted by Anonymous, at 10/25/2007 1:37 PM

This controversy is so strange to me. If Obama is the man he claims to be, he would have WANTED to remove McClurkin from the gospel show. Especially after discovering the singer's scurrilous view that gay people are outside the will of God by mere virtue of their birth. The fact that it doesn't come naturally to Mr. Obama is very telling. I don't consider myself naive, but I have to admit...he had me fooled.
posted by Anonymous, at 10/25/2007 1:53 PM

Chris, its all about what I said earlier, political expediency. If he were truly interested in us, he'd have distanced himself from the situation, but he didn't. Ironic for someone who attends the United Church of Christ, a progay denomination that also supports marriage equality which he doesn't. Clinton and Edwards are no different either. I doubt if any of them will get my vote in 2008, I just can't bring myself to get behind someone just to get the GOP out, knowing that whoever it is I might give my vote to is not going to help me win our full equality which we so richly deserve and for far too long have waited.

We need more outreach and interraction with the African American community and their gay community. We've not done a good job of it.
posted by Anonymous, at 10/25/2007 2:12 PM

This isn't so much as McClurkin's fault as it is Michael Bussee's. After all, it's Bussee who invented (and is currently self-congratulating himself) the whole "I'm now ex-gay - PAY MOI" thing. McClurkin simply followed Bussee's lead.
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