Barack Obama Tries to Distance Himself from "Ex-Gay" Donnie McClurkin ... While Black News Media Ignores Controversy

There are new and not-very-surprising developments after the Barack Obama campaign announced a three-day "gospel tour" in South Carolina drum up much-needed support among black voters. The headliners are three popular acts well known for their anti-gay messages—Mary Mary, Rev. Hezekiah Walker, and, at the center of the controversy, the "ex-gay" (or is it merely "re-closeted"?) Donnie McClurkin, who believes you can "pray the gay away."

As predicted, the Illinois senator will not drop McClurkin from the concert series issues a virtual press release to distance himself from McClurkin's discredited views on homosexuality:

“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 our community so that we can confront issues like HIV/AIDS and broaden the reach of equal rights in this country," Obama said in the written statement.

"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."

Jasmyne Cannick keenly observes the virtual push back is buried on the campaign's LGBT micro-site "and not under his general newsroom where all of his statements and press releases are" placed. It's not surprising the Obama Camp is downplaying the drama. The gospel tour is the campaign's primary vehicle to attract voters in the Palmetto State and is prominently advertised on the Barack Obama home page and the South Carolina micro-site. Screen capture HERE.

It should also be no surprise to discover a news blackout (pun intended) across major black news media and strong Obama supporters such as the Chicago Defender, WVON and EUR. Leading black gospel and Christian sites also ignore the story. EURweb's gospel site reported and promoted the concert series but reports nothing on the current controversy. Gospel City, one of the most popular black gospel music portals, reported the concert series and also advertises upcoming concerts by McClurkin and Walker, but, is silent on the current controversy.

The black non-response is to be expected, given the historic black church's uneasy relationship with the many black gays who pack the church choirs on Sunday mornings. "I long for the day when blacks gays and lesbians stop supporting their music," Darian Aaron writes in his post on the McClurkin backlash. Aaron is a young black gay activist, blogger, and contributor to Clik, and also grew up in the Pentecosal Church. "And find the courage to walk out of the churches that turn a house of prayer into a house of pain." Thankfully, chuches such as Kendal Brown's City of Refuge: DC and Kevin E. Taylor's Unity Fellowship Church welcome black gays and lesbians.

None of this should be a deal-killer for Barack Obama supporters because the senator from Illinois is very strong on our issues. If anything, the inclusion of Hezekiah Walker, Mary Mary, and, above all, Donnie McClurkin demonstrates poor planning on behalf on the presidential candidate's staffers. The blunder also demonstrates a fundamental flaw in Obama's meta-messaging previously discussed on these pages and in our Obama cover story (PDF) for The Advocate: There are no prominent nationally, recognized black gay men or lesbians advising the Obama campaign. If there were, this never would have happened. Everyone in our community is well aware of Walker's gay-bashing and McClurkin's dubious claims of a faith-based sexual conversion. Really. This should have been a no-brainer.

More BARACK OBAMA.
More RELIGION.
More POLITICS.

Blacks, Gays, Homophobic Gospel Singers [JCannick]
Barack Obama and the Gay Issue [Keith Boykin]
Obama Embraces Anti-Gay Gospel Singers [lolDarian]
Obama, the Gospel Snger and Gays [Chi Tribune]

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Comments

[greg g]

I was hoping that you would update this story. Wow. So the black newspapers and Christian websites have nothing to say? Not a surprise, they all know that the churches are packed with gays and that will force them to take stock of Donnie McClurkin and Hezekiah Walker.

[timothy]

^^The black Christian non-response is to be expected, given its uneasy relationship with the many black gays who pack the church choirs on Sunday mornings.^^

Amen to that.

[anon]

Does Donnie McClurkin call himself "ex gay" or are you giving him that term?

[soulbrotha]

Finally a reasonable assessment of this story. Thank you Rod! I wish you would go to Towleroad and give your 2¢ They need it.

[rob a]

Anon, how does it matter what Donnie McClurkin calls himself? He cannot even say "gay", he claims he used to be "of that lifestyle."

"Ex gay" is an accepted phrase for gay men and women who claim to have changed their sexuality, especially through prayer or religion.

[West Side Poz]

Soulbrotha, why even waste your time at Towleroad, especially on black gay issues?

[Franklyn Smith]

Excellent point. Who are the black gay men and lesbians advising Barack Obama?

Obama often tries to avoid "black issues" per se, so he will not be seen as the "black candidate", but this problem could have been easily avoided if at least one black gay man had his ear. And please, don't mention Paris Barclay.

He certainly is black and gay but fairly removed from the community. If he were, he or someone should have flagged Obama.

[anon]

ROB A:

So in other words, "ex gay" is just another term thrown around by radical gay activists? is it too much to believe you can turn your life around?

[LaRufus]

This is one of the reasons I have never warmed to Obama, he isn't comfortable with black's period, gay or straight, and, now this? I don't have a problem with the tour, he is doing what all politicians do, lie and pander for votes, and, he certainly will not be getting mine.

he seems to stand for whatever the crowd is he's in front of.

As for Towelroad, children, ya'll know the minute any black issue or even a picture is posted there, those sheets come off the beds of those posters, and they start spewing how they really feel about black folks, and, its a scary place with no rules in that regard.

[anon]

ROB A:

So in other words, "ex gay" is just another term thrown around by radical gay activists? is it too much to believe you can turn your life around?

[LaRufus]

Just how does one become an "ex gay?" Not knocking his claim as I don't know or anyone else who seems to have been "cured," but, just how does it happen? Straight porn? Prayer and holy water? I think its a fair question, since he church seems so compelled to "hate the sin love the sinner" tripe, and all these gay men falling out on Sunday after singing their hearts and I assume souls out.

And, if just for one minute the so called black church would exert as much energy into their obsession with gay men and women onto other issues in the community, most of the MAJOR issues facing straight black people would be gone.

[Earl FF]

Rob, don't argue with someone who leaves anonymous comments. They are trying to obscure evade Donnie McClurkin's history.

[greg g]

LaRufus, that is an excellent question.

Sure. Donnie McClurkin is "straight" after being "gay" for decades, which only happened because he was abused, right? What about all those gay men and lesbians who were not abused? I wasn't.

[A. Ronald]

Obama is a politician. he is trying to become our first black president. He is doing the same thing that other politicians do. he is no more or less calculating than Hillary Clinton except Hillary Clinton would be smart enough to avoid the problem.

Please don't tell me tyhat barack Obama and his wife Michgelle, good church going black folk from Chicago's South Side, have never heard of Donnie McClurkin?

[brad lindau]

Okay, what do we think is going to happen? Do you think Obama is going to disinvite McClurkin? Are we going to hear something about "scheduling conflicts"?

Because if the gays force Obama to choose between gays and black churches, he is going to go with black churches. Anmd he wiull get political points. It may become his Sister Souljah moment.

[Andy Niable]

Heavy, heavy sigh....

[Andy Niable]

And meanwhile, how long before someone digs up this from the SF Chronicle in March 2004:

Like most religious opponents of same-sex marriage, the Rev. Harold Mayberry, pastor of the First African Methodist Church in Oakland, has preached against homosexuality to his congregation of 2,800.

However, he does not think a federal amendment is necessary. The scriptures direct people how to lead a moral life, he said.

"I'm comfortable in what I believe in," Mayberry said. "I'm not rejecting people. As God loves, we love. I don't reject thieves, I reject thievery.''

http://www.hillaryclinton.com/news/release/view/?id=2857

On Friday, August, 10, Senator Hillary Clinton stopped by the African American Art and Culture Complex for a meeting with Bay Area African-American ministers and community leaders.

"I thank all the leaders whom I met with for their contributions to our country and their commitment to fighting for civil rights and equality," said Clinton. "As President, I will partner with African-American leaders to ensure that the promise of America is realized."

The afternoon meeting, organized by Reverend Amos Brown of Third Baptist of San Francisco and Pastor Clarence Johnson of Mills Grove Christian Church, was an opportunity for African-American leaders to hear directly from Hillary Clinton on the issues that affect their community.
...
I want a president who knows how to strike a balance between addressing international and domestic challenges facing this country," said Reverend Dr. Harold R. Mayberry, Senior Pastor of First African Methodist Episcopal Church and Chairperson of Network for Interfaith Action.

(Brace yourselves, everyone, the gloves are off, and the hands stink of Rove.)

[ricky]

Rod, Keith and Jasmyne excellent points. Why doesn't Barack Obama have any prominent black gay advisors on his team? He's from the South Side of Chicago, of all people, he should have some as friends, neighbors or at his church.

[anon]

So have agreed that Donnie McClurkin is not an "ex gay", that is merely a label created by radical gay activists?

[Xavier Greene]

Donnie McClurkin is not EX GAY. he is simply RECLOSETED or CELIBATE. The man is single and 48 years old.

[Roland S. Martin]

Xavier,

Your comment is a flat out lie. We've discussed the issue on WVON. It just heated up on Monday and we discussed on Tuesday, and will likely do again tomorrow. Speak from facts.

[Derrick from Philly]

Unfortunately, the black press and black church don't take black gays seriously. They only take white gays seriously, and the two hate each other.

This issue/mistake will go away in a few weeks. It may not even come up while the campaign tour is going on in South Carolina. I don't think Hillary's camp sees the need to even mention Donnie McClurkin until they get to San Francisco--during the California primary race.

Yes, I'm feelin' a bit cynical today.

[Kevin C]

I'm glad I was not raised in the church. The black gay community really gets their panties in a twist when you mention these fake ass gospel singers. It's just fraud folks. Actually, they are funny to watch. My favorite comedy show is the Bobby Jones Gospel Show. Fake as hell!! Off camera these folks cuss like sailors too.

So just enjoy the minstrel show.

Anybody want to buy some miracle olive oil soap?

Kevin C
ATL

[Mes Deux Cents]

Rod,

The "Black media" is all over this story, if you like me consider the real Black media to be Black blogs.

African American traditional media has regressed to the point of almost being non-existant.

So I am very thankful that blogs have filled the void. I get 90% or more if my relevant news from Black bloggers.

Regarding Sen. Obama's I'm with Donnie tour, this is a wink and a nod to the Black religious right nutters, just as when White candidates speak at Bob Jones University.

Thanks

[Xavier Greene]

Sorry, Roland. I know that you have a very successful career as CNN's in-house "voice of black America" but you're wrong.

Donnie McClurkin surrounds himself with church queens, they go to events together, they travel, his entire entourage is gay. Possibly some (or many, or all) claim they are "ex gay". The one thing black news media refuses to report is that psychologist and psychiatrists have thoroughly discredited the ex-gay movement.

Unfortunately, to point this out will irritate the black church and much of your audience.`