Can someone post what McClurkin has actually said?

[Dawgs]

I keep reading about how he hates gays and is a bigot, but I rarely see his actual words quoted.

Here is what he said today.

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

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."

...

"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."

[killbotfactory]

1. I doubt he could say anything at this point that would help

Even if he signed a blood oath that discrimination against gays should be illegal and have no place in government.

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

2. AP really screwed up on that article

The say there's a controversy, but are too ... too whatever to print any of the controversial statements. So people reading that will conclude gay people are just hysterics.

I am sure you will be provided with many shocking examples. (I don't have them handy)

The 700 Club appearance is my personal fav.

[democracyindanger]

3. overview

quotes and links in this post:

http://www.americablog.com/2004/08/gop-convention-entertainer-gays-trying.html

[Mojambo]

6. Obama's chance at the nomination is kaput if he goes through with this.

This guy is a radical anti-gay bigot.

I hope Senator Obama does the right thing here.

[democracyindanger]

11. Yeah

Problem is, Obama's got himself between a rock and a hard place. He goes ahead as planned and he's in big trouble with LGBT. He cancels or repudiates in no uncertain terms, and he gets in trouble with black evangelicals, which puts him in trouble for the South Carolina primary.

Frankly, I think Obama didn't know anything about McClurkin's views and some idiot staffer set the whole thing up. If he's lucky he can get McClurkin to withdraw. If he's not, he'll have to do the hard political calculation of which group is worth more to him. Sadly, I think he'll figure that a good showing in the SC primary is the more immediate goal and that he can shore up support among LGBT later, maybe do a big event--but his calculations will be wrong. Clinton's got a huge lead among AA voters, and with the heavy hitters in the CBC endorsing her, I just don't see Obama making up much ground there. His strength is the broadness of his appeal, IMO, not leading the polls among one category of voter or another.

But yeah, I hope he does the right thing, too.

[Maat]

4. Well ... I support a wonderful organization called "Truth Wins Out,"

headed by Wayne Besen (formerly of the Human Rights Campaign), and he's got this guy's number (McClurkin might be called "an ex-gay for pay," as these individuals are either directly or indirectly funded by those with an agenda, such as Dobson).

Quote:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, Oct. 22, 2007

Contact: Wayne Besen
Phone: [phone]
E-Mail: [e-mail]
Web: www.TruthWinsOut.org

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."

Web: www.TruthWinsOut.org

[killbotfactory]

7. That's pretty bad.

If this guy actually believes what he said in the OP he needs to denounce his comments, or he should not be allowed to perform. It's one thing to personally think homosexuality is a sin because God says so, it's another to take that and be an obnoxious bigot all over TV-land. Obama should confront McClurkin on this, since I doubt McClurkin downplayed or never mentioned the extent of his previous comments or his feeling about homosexuality, as he does in the article from the OP. Either make him renounce and apologize for his previous statements or replace him.

[ruggerson]

5. "Thank God For The 700 Club"

You really don't need to hear much more than that, do ya?

[western mass]

8. Tribune is a right-wing paper...

no surprise this is an "exclusive."

[FredScuttle]

9. "sexuality is a matter of choice"???

That right there should be proof positive this asshole is a grade-A Neanderthal and any Democratic candidate worth his or her salt would run screaming from such ignorance.

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

10. Human Rights Campaign letter to President Bush about McClurkin

Weird but true... a 2004 letter demanding he not perform at the republican convention (plenty of quotes)

So I guess we can't accuse the HRC of piling on Obama today. If they were demanding he not play for pugs their demand that he not appear at a Dem fundraiser is consistent.

http://www.hrc.org/issues/2031.htm