Wayne Besen - Author, Activist, Columnist, Public Speaker

Saturday, October 27, 2007

Protest To Counter NARTH In Dallas A Big Success

Gerry Phifer of Jacksonville, Texas, joined with a group of local and national organizations to protest against the National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality (NARTH). NARTH, an organization that claims to "cure" gay people, held its annual meeting at the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport Marriott on Saturday. (Star-Telegram/Amy Peterson)

Several dozen people demonstrated Saturday outside the DFW Airport Marriott, where the National Association for Research & Therapy of Homosexuality is holding its annual conference. Members are discussing the use of therapy to suppress someone's homosexual desires. The message from the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender groups protesting at both events is that homosexuality needs no cure because it is not an illness and that attempts to convert gays to a straight lifestyle are based on quack science. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram wrote on today's protest. Truth Wins Out will provide video of the demonstration and press conference in the coming days.

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Thursday, October 25, 2007

Man Claims To Have Had Sexual Relations With Obama Gospel Singer Donnie McClurkin

Truth Wins Out Offers To Help McClurkin Accept Himself So He Can Live With Dignity and Respect

New York - Truth Wins Out urged Donnie McClurkin to set the record straight after a man on the website Clay Cane said he was having sexual relations with the Grammy winning singer, even as he preached anti-gay sermons. If the allegations are true, McClurkin should cancel his appearance at the Obama rally and learn to be true to himself.

"McClurkin should do the Obama campaign a favor and bow out gracefully, so he has time to reflect on his alleged hypocrisy and come to a place of self-acceptance," said Truth Wins Out's Executive Director Wayne Besen. "We offer a helping hand to assist him in the coming out process. Truth Wins Out understands that the notion of 'ex-gay' is a myth and McClurkin will be conflicted until he lives honestly and openly."

Truth Wins OUT is a non-profit organization that counters right wing propaganda, exposes the "ex-gay" myth and educates America about gay life. For more information, visit www.TruthWinsOut.org.

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Wayne Besen on CNN Headline News

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Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Obama's Missed Opportunity

(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.

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Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Truth Wins Out Calls Barack Obama's Statement On Anti-Gay Gospel Singer Donnie McClurkin Inadequate And Disappointing

Contact the Obama Campaign And Express Your Disappointment
pride@barackobama.com

AP STORY HERE

NEW YORK - Truth Wins Out responded today to a statement released by Sen. Barack Obama's campaign, which condemned "homophobia", but made no mention of cutting ties with homophobic "ex-gay" singer Donnie McClurkin, who is scheduled to appear in a South Carolina gospel tour promoting Obama's campaign. Truth Wins Out contacted the Obama campaign for further comment, but they have yet to respond. Last night, the Obama campaign placed the following statement on its website:

"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."

While Truth Wins Out is grateful that Obama reiterated his support for equal rights, the group believes that Obama should have reinforced his talking points by canceling the appearance of McClurkin. Offering a platform to a man who refers to homosexuality as a "curse" sends the wrong message and is inconsistent with the inclusive theme of the Obama campaign.

"Obama's statement was inadequate and we are disappointed that he failed to sever ties with Donnie McClurkin. We strongly encourage Obama to do the right thing and demonstrate real leadership on this issue," said Truth Wins Out's Executive Director Wayne Besen. "Obama is missing a real opportunity to educate Americans and send a strong message that anti-gay rhetoric is repulsive and unacceptable."

Truth Wins OUT is a non-profit organization that counters right wing propaganda, exposes the “ex-gay” myth and educates America about gay life. For more information, visit www.TruthWinsOut.org.

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Monday, October 22, 2007

Truth Wins Out Calls On Barack Obama To Immediately Cut Ties With 'Ex-Gay' Preacher Who Rails Against Homosexuality

Singer Donnie McClurkin's Divisive Rhetoric Defies Obama's Pledge To Bring Americans Together, says TWO

NEW YORK - Truth Wins Out called on Sen. Barack Obama to immediately distance his campaign from "ex-gay" preacher and gospel singer Donnie McClurkin. Obama is scheduled to tour South Carolina with the controversial singer, even though McClurkin's mean-spirited rhetoric runs counter to the senator's conciliatory efforts, says Truth Wins Out.

"We strongly urge Obama to part ways with this divisive preacher who is clearly singing a different tune than the stated message of the campaign," said Truth Wins Out's Executive Director Wayne Besen. "We can only hope that Obama is unaware of McClurkin's anti-gay history and will swiftly condemn such intolerance. Real leadership includes standing up to those who drive wedges between the American people."

McClurkin says he once suffered from "the curse of homosexuality" and has used his platform as a well-known gospel singer to spread untruths about gay and lesbian people.

"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 homosexuality are patently absurd, unscientific and have no basis in fact," said Besen. "He is a sad figure who is using his celebrity to demean and diminish the lives of healthy gay people who have chosen to live openly and honestly. I can't imagine why the Obama campaign would choose to associate with a man who is so closely identified with hatred and discrimination."

Truth Wins OUT is a non-profit organization that counters right wing propaganda, exposes the "ex-gay" myth and educates America about gay life. For more information, visit www.TruthWinsOut.org.

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Poland's 'Wonder Twits' Crash and Burn In Elections

Voters appeared to have ousted the prime minister, one half of Poland's obnoxious, homophobic "wonder-twin" team, in parliamentary elections on Sunday. The challenger, Donald Tusk, declared victory for his pro-business party, Civic Platform.

The prime minister and "Wonder Twit" Jaroslaw Kaczynski, conceded defeat as two major exit polls showed his Law and Justice Party trailing Civic Platform by double-digit margins. His brother, Lech, will remain president and retain veto power over the presumptive new government's legislation.

The name of this party alone suggests an anti-gay authoritarian regime. Why do the most repressive parties always veil their dangerous agenda in the guise of patriotism? Well, at least the people in Poland finally caught on to Kaczynski's Bush-like incompetence.

Leaders across Europe were likely to be relieved at the ascension of Civic Platform, a pro-Europe party. Under the Kaczynskis, Poland has earned a reputation as a consensus-breaking troublemaker. However, this regime had been buddy-buddy with Bush. Just like poor Tony Blair, the Polish leader went down in flames.

Law and Justice appeared to be a formidable opponent,according to the New York Times, because of the influential Catholic radio station, Radio Maryja, which experts here said could alone deliver around 1.5 million votes for the party. So, this was Poland's equivalent Focus on the Family falling flat on its face. You can't help but love it!!

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