President-elect Obama defended his choice of megachurch pastor Rick Warren to bless his inauguration, despite Warren’s support of California’s Proposition 8.
I had not thought of Pastor Mel White. What a wonderful choice he would have been, as well. I’ve trumpeted Bishop Robinson as a great choice, but if Obama was looking for an Evangelical Minister it would be Mel White. Mel White ghost wrote books for Pat Robertson, Billy Graham and Jerry Falwell. He’s an outspoken proponent for gay equality and firmly a man of God. Perfect!
I would love to see the gay band march by the viewing stand silently. Obama would like to see us silenced. That would be appropriate.
Randy Said:December 20th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
“It’s no secret that I am a fierce advocate for equality”. Actually, yes, it is a secret. I can’t name anything Obama has accomplished for LGBTs, but I do know he didn’t complain when Yes on 8 used his likeness and words to promote Prop 8. If we must “come together” and “disagree without being disagreeable”, then why wasn’t an actual out religious figure like Gene Robinson or Mel White invited to speak? Why wasn’t ANY popular out person invited to speak? Where’s the major out cabinet appointee? If a wide range of viewpoints is “how it should be”, then why weren’t David Duke and Jeremiah Wright both invited? The hypocrisy is really starting to stink.
Richard W Said:December 20th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
I hope that the Gay Marching Band still marches in the inaugural parade, and that they play beautifully, but I hope that when they march past the Presidential podium they stop playing, turn their faces away and march past silently.
Trace Said:December 20th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
Amen George M!
George Marzen Said:December 20th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
To Daniel Vondra:
As another gay man it appears that you may have been hiding your head in the sand for many years now.
You may not agree with how others are protesting Obama’s choice of speakers but to be so egotistical to appear to speak for the gay community as a whole and to “regret” what others have said is beyond disbelief.
I really do not need you to “regret” for me in any way, shape or form or under ANY circumstance at all, mostly because my insticts tell me that you are a gay man who will “shush” those who are proud enough of who they are to speak out so “we” don’t make waves. Not only is it time for the gay community to make waves but to create a tsunami of protests against our being again and again second class citizens.
Please leave me out of your statement “We are beingly overly sensitive..”. Were Rosa Parks, Martin Luther king, Harvey Milk, Del Martin and many others being overly sensitive when they simply said: We dont like what you are doing and we want it to change”?
One last comment, there is nothing “queer” about me so please if you wish to refer to yourself as queer, feel free to do so. I am personally not in favor of the word queer to refer to the gay communiyt but will never deny anoyone else the use of the word to refer to themselves only.
Thank you and all the best to you and yours, George
Harry Coverston Said:December 20th, 2008 at 12:53 pm
While I agree that Mr. Obama has the right to choose his own religious figures for his inauguration, I find Mr. Warren an unfortunate choice. He is not America’s pastor. He is the pastor of a segment of America that sadly continues to confuse homophobia with the Christian faith.
James Said:December 20th, 2008 at 10:35 am
Equal rights for GLBT individuals is not a “social issue,” Mr. Obama. And please, do not interject your religious view that marriage is only between a man and a woman, while you offer separate but equal legislation to “fiercely” defend non-discrimination of GLBTs. It is time for all progressives to move to the front of the bus on this issue and demand equal treatment under the law.
Ken Said:December 20th, 2008 at 8:08 am
Let’s lose the “social issues” phrase. It whitewashes the fact that factions in this country are working to prevent or eliminate basic rights and freedoms from those they don’t agree with.
On the Warren thing – very disappointing that he’s given the podium. Let’s be prepared to be vocal in response to veiled or overt bigotry. Sometimes anger can be very motivating
Jerry Said:December 20th, 2008 at 2:09 am
Well, I knew Obama would stumble at some point but not with his choice of Rick Warren as the person to give the invocation at the inguaration. Face it people, we have got to crank up the pressure to push Obama when it comes to gay rights. Frankly, I think both parties have to prove themselves before I will support them in ANY way. With some exceptions (like Brad Pitt), it seems that heterosexual America wants us to just go away. NOT in my lifetime!!
Todd Said:December 20th, 2008 at 1:09 am
Good. Where is the KKK speaker? It’s about a forum of differing viewpoints, right?
Bradley Said:December 20th, 2008 at 12:31 am
What would Barack Obama think if Rick Warren, the man he chose to lead off his inauguration, believed that all black people were pedophiles, into incest and banned from becoming members of his church? Wouldn’t he realize that he is sending the wrong message to Americans?
Daniel Said:December 19th, 2008 at 10:11 pm
That pain you feel is the weight of the bus we’ve just been thrown under…
Jim Said:December 19th, 2008 at 8:55 pm
Obama’s choice is very much out of character. What has happened to the man?
Has he experienced a fall back to a time out of sync with all that he has previously said.
How disappointing, President-elect Obama!!
Daniel Vondra Said:December 19th, 2008 at 8:55 pm
As a gay man, I must say that I am ashamed at the way my fellow queers are reacting to Mr. Obama’s selection of Mr. Warren. Of course there are many things about Mr. Warren that would be considered intolerable to the gay “community.” However the shrillness of the reaction goes beyond the pale.
I would like to offer my regret for the personal attacks that are being hurled at Mr. Obama in this matter. We are being overly sensitive, and nothing justifies such childish behavior.
Best Wishes and Congratulations
–Dan
Paul Boston Said:December 19th, 2008 at 7:16 pm
If it walks like a religious bigot and talks like a religious bigot on gay marriage, most likely it is a religious bigot. How disappointing.
I had not thought of Pastor Mel White. What a wonderful choice he would have been, as well. I’ve trumpeted Bishop Robinson as a great choice, but if Obama was looking for an Evangelical Minister it would be Mel White. Mel White ghost wrote books for Pat Robertson, Billy Graham and Jerry Falwell. He’s an outspoken proponent for gay equality and firmly a man of God. Perfect!
I would love to see the gay band march by the viewing stand silently. Obama would like to see us silenced. That would be appropriate.
“It’s no secret that I am a fierce advocate for equality”. Actually, yes, it is a secret. I can’t name anything Obama has accomplished for LGBTs, but I do know he didn’t complain when Yes on 8 used his likeness and words to promote Prop 8. If we must “come together” and “disagree without being disagreeable”, then why wasn’t an actual out religious figure like Gene Robinson or Mel White invited to speak? Why wasn’t ANY popular out person invited to speak? Where’s the major out cabinet appointee? If a wide range of viewpoints is “how it should be”, then why weren’t David Duke and Jeremiah Wright both invited? The hypocrisy is really starting to stink.
I hope that the Gay Marching Band still marches in the inaugural parade, and that they play beautifully, but I hope that when they march past the Presidential podium they stop playing, turn their faces away and march past silently.
Amen George M!
To Daniel Vondra:
As another gay man it appears that you may have been hiding your head in the sand for many years now.
You may not agree with how others are protesting Obama’s choice of speakers but to be so egotistical to appear to speak for the gay community as a whole and to “regret” what others have said is beyond disbelief.
I really do not need you to “regret” for me in any way, shape or form or under ANY circumstance at all, mostly because my insticts tell me that you are a gay man who will “shush” those who are proud enough of who they are to speak out so “we” don’t make waves. Not only is it time for the gay community to make waves but to create a tsunami of protests against our being again and again second class citizens.
Please leave me out of your statement “We are beingly overly sensitive..”. Were Rosa Parks, Martin Luther king, Harvey Milk, Del Martin and many others being overly sensitive when they simply said: We dont like what you are doing and we want it to change”?
One last comment, there is nothing “queer” about me so please if you wish to refer to yourself as queer, feel free to do so. I am personally not in favor of the word queer to refer to the gay communiyt but will never deny anoyone else the use of the word to refer to themselves only.
Thank you and all the best to you and yours, George
While I agree that Mr. Obama has the right to choose his own religious figures for his inauguration, I find Mr. Warren an unfortunate choice. He is not America’s pastor. He is the pastor of a segment of America that sadly continues to confuse homophobia with the Christian faith.
Equal rights for GLBT individuals is not a “social issue,” Mr. Obama. And please, do not interject your religious view that marriage is only between a man and a woman, while you offer separate but equal legislation to “fiercely” defend non-discrimination of GLBTs. It is time for all progressives to move to the front of the bus on this issue and demand equal treatment under the law.
Let’s lose the “social issues” phrase. It whitewashes the fact that factions in this country are working to prevent or eliminate basic rights and freedoms from those they don’t agree with.
On the Warren thing – very disappointing that he’s given the podium. Let’s be prepared to be vocal in response to veiled or overt bigotry. Sometimes anger can be very motivating
Well, I knew Obama would stumble at some point but not with his choice of Rick Warren as the person to give the invocation at the inguaration. Face it people, we have got to crank up the pressure to push Obama when it comes to gay rights. Frankly, I think both parties have to prove themselves before I will support them in ANY way. With some exceptions (like Brad Pitt), it seems that heterosexual America wants us to just go away. NOT in my lifetime!!
Good. Where is the KKK speaker? It’s about a forum of differing viewpoints, right?
What would Barack Obama think if Rick Warren, the man he chose to lead off his inauguration, believed that all black people were pedophiles, into incest and banned from becoming members of his church? Wouldn’t he realize that he is sending the wrong message to Americans?
That pain you feel is the weight of the bus we’ve just been thrown under…
Obama’s choice is very much out of character. What has happened to the man?
Has he experienced a fall back to a time out of sync with all that he has previously said.
How disappointing, President-elect Obama!!
As a gay man, I must say that I am ashamed at the way my fellow queers are reacting to Mr. Obama’s selection of Mr. Warren. Of course there are many things about Mr. Warren that would be considered intolerable to the gay “community.” However the shrillness of the reaction goes beyond the pale.
I would like to offer my regret for the personal attacks that are being hurled at Mr. Obama in this matter. We are being overly sensitive, and nothing justifies such childish behavior.
Best Wishes and Congratulations
–Dan
If it walks like a religious bigot and talks like a religious bigot on gay marriage, most likely it is a religious bigot. How disappointing.