Human Rights Campaign: Obama's invitation to Warren a GENUINE BLOW TO LGBT AMERICANS

[Bluebear]

Dear President-elect Obama -

Let me get right to the point. Your invitation to Reverend Rick Warren to deliver the invocation at your inauguration is a genuine blow to LGBT Americans. Our loss in California over the passage of Proposition 8 which stripped loving, committed same-sex couples of their given legal right to marry is the greatest loss our community has faced in 40 years. And by inviting Rick Warren to your inauguration, you have tarnished the view that gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Americans have a place at your table.

Rick Warren has not sat on the sidelines in the fight for basic equality and fairness. In fact, Rev. Warren spoke out vocally in support of Prop 8 in California saying, “there is no need to change the universal, historical definition of marriage to appease 2 percent of our population ... This is not a political issue -- it is a moral issue that God has spoken clearly about." Furthermore, he continues to misrepresent marriage equality as silencing his religious views. This was a lie during the battle over Proposition 8, and it's a lie today.

Rev. Warren cannot name a single theological issue that he and vehemently, anti-gay theologian James Dobson disagree on. Rev. Warren is not a moderate pastor who is trying to bring all sides together. Instead, Rev. Warren has often played the role of general in the cultural war waged against LGBT Americans, many of whom also share a strong tradition of religion and faith.

We have been moved by your calls to religious leaders to own up to the homophobia and racism that has stood in the way of combating HIV and AIDS in this country. And that you have publicly called on religious leaders to open their hearts to their LGBT family members, neighbors and friends.

But in this case, we feel a deep level of disrespect when one of architects and promoters of an anti-gay agenda is given the prominence and the pulpit of your historic nomination. Only when Rev. Warren and others support basic legislative protections for LGBT Americans can we believe their claim that they are not four-square against our rights and dignity. In that light, we urge you to reconsider this announcement.

Sincerely,

Joe Solmonese
President
Human Rights Campaign

edited to add link:

http://www.hrc.org/11793.htm

[musette_sf]

1. K&R

[polichick]

2. It's also a genuine blow to straight Americans who believe in liberty and justice for all.

[LisaM]

3. Notice that Harry Reid was on the committee

Is he that tone deaf?

K&R

[Tesha]

11. Has he not proven this over the past two years? (NT)

[LisaM]

13. Over what?

We're still at war, he didn't save the Big Three, he didn't use any influence he had (which I'd imagine was considerable) regarding Prop8, and I could go on.

[Tesha]

26. You understand that I'm agreeing with you, right? Yes, he is that tone deaf

and all of his (in)actions as Majority Leader prove it!

Tesha

[stillcool]

4. Pass it on...

Senator Feinsein
Senator Reid
Senator Bennett
Rep. Pelosi
Rep. Hoyer
Rep. Boehner

email addys here: http://inaugural.senate.gov/cmte/

[rhett o rick]

5. Standby for more "genuine blows". Obama can't do anything with out the support of "the club". nm

[Greyhound]

6. There's 10. They seem to be very secure in the knowledge that we will not,

no matter how indifferent or offensive they are to us, ever vote against them.

I wish I could say they were wrong.
:kick: & R

[condoleeza]

7. Completely agree with you here. WTF is he thinking?

[madrchsod]

8. it`s a blow to those who believe in christ`s message

jesus did`t sell books to get his message to the people

[readmoreoften]

9. And pro-choice and every other thing his base stands for.

Bamboozled, is a word that comes to mind. Rickroll'd isn't far from the mark either.

[Captain Hilts]

10. He's hung out with anti-gay preachers before. nt

[KittyWampus]

17. So did your girl Hillary, get over it.

[readmoreoften]

18. Right, it must be all the "Hillary" people here who are pissed.

Give it a rest. The primary is over.

[yardwork]

19. I supported Obama with money and my vote and I'm disgusted with this decision.

This has nothing to do with the primaries.

[Laelth]

12. Very depressing.

A person who loathes the Constitution should not be allowed to give a speech at the inauguration of the President. A person who, quite obviously, does not believe that "all men are created equal" does not deserve this honor.

I, too, am disappointed.

The United States is a LIBERAL Country.

:dem:

-Laelth


Edit:Laelth--procedural error corrected, clarity.

[alittlelark]

14. The LGBT Community is under attack from MANY

Rick Warren is a money grubbing parasite.....many Americans listen to him and voted for McCain. He IS a PARASITE.

He has NO value that I can discern.

That said - I'm assuming the Obama team made a calculated move choosing him. He is the 'pastor figurehead' to many of those who voted AGAINST Obama.

Obama is trying to pull in as many Americans as possible - he knows how bad things are going to get over the next few years.

This country is in a divided, polarized, propaganda (religious included)induced state of cognitive dissonance.



I'm assuming this is a very well calculated move..... Honestly, WHY would he pick this parasite if not out of NEED.



The next few years (+/-) are gonna REALLY SUCK. He needs to have as many of us as he can pulling TOGETHER.

It's not gonna be pretty.



(I posted this in another thread as well)

[bluedawg12]

21. There were less prominent ways to "build those bridges"

maybe not one our backs as gay people?

[alittlelark]

23. Find a popular RW fundie that is NOT a homophobe

They all are, it is their scene. This particular one is both wildly popular and NOT (yet) exposed as gay!

He will preach some shit then Obama will have the stage.



He's not in the cabinet, he will have no effect on issues....he will give a fundie prayer that McCain voters may watch, then watch Obama.


As I said before - It's a chess game.

[bluedawg12]

24. I didn't vote for a rw fundy nor a guy who wants them front and center.

My life is not a chess game.

[Bravehammer]

22. Having Warren speak will cause right wingers to support Obama?

wha?

[tsuki]

15. It is a genuine blow to women's rights also. nt

[readmoreoften]

16. Yes it is.

[bluedawg12]

20. Some of Rick’s Best Friends Are Gay - oh golly gee!

>>– and he’s even eaten dinner in their homes! — but Rick Warren views their marriages as being equivalent to incest, child rape and polygamy:

Rick Warren: But the issue to me is, I’m not opposed to that as much as I’m opposed to the redefinition of a 5,000-year definition of marriage. I’m opposed to having a brother and sister be together and call that marriage. I’m opposed to an older guy marrying a child and calling that a marriage. I’m opposed to one guy having multiple wives and calling that marriage.<<

http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2008/12/16/7415

[David Zephyr]

25. K&R.

It's over for me.