London’s largest newspaper, The Daily Telegraph, reported yesterday that gay-rights advocates are criticizing President Obama over reports that he’s turning to anti-gay religious leaders for spiritual guidance. The New York Times reported recently that Obama has replaced former spiritual guru Jeremiah Wright with a handful of evangelical pastors, including Bishop T.D. Jakes of the Potters House in Dallas and the Rev. Kirbyjon Caldwell of Windsor Village Church in Houston.
The Daily Telegraph notes that Bishop Jakes has called homosexuality a “brokenness,” while a staff member at Caldwell’s church reportedly runs an “ex-gay” therapy program. Wayne Besen, founder of the gay-rights group Truth Wins Out, told The Daily Telegraph he thinks Obama has “another pastor problem.”
“These are people who believe that we are sinful and sick and that you can pray away the gay. The notion that Obama can’t find a pastor in America who doesn’t have these outrageous extreme beliefs is baffling to many of us,” Besen told the newspaper. “He’s giving credibility to people who are virulently anti-gay and promoting discrimination. The president has given these homophobes his stamp of approval. He has given them a platform. By elevating these extreme elements, he’s hurting our community.”
Obama has said that we can disagree without being disagreeable. I haven’t figured out how Rick Warren equating me with a pedophile isn’t disagreeable. Nor do I understand how seeking counsel from someone who thinks I’m broken and in need of repair at the very unsuccessful ex-gay programs isn’t disagreeable. I went to https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/ and told him this is wrong. I think we all need to speak up when he does things like this. It’s so strange to have the most pro-gay administration treating us in such an unacceptable manner.
There will always be people that will believe gays are broken, twisted, sick and even possessed weak humans. Being gay in this world doesn’t better the world, it just adds to the already chaotic mess. The people of the world don’t need anymore drama or people with issues. Obama is just playing with these ministers to get somehting in return. That’s the kind of person Obama is. He’ll turn on you in a second.
I’m sick and tired of queers self righteous indignation over President Obama’s decisions to meet with people we may not like. Its called LEADERSHIP! You can not make progress by simply ignoring the other side. You have to meet with those who resist your objectives and attempt to convince them by addressing their concerns.
Further, just because he’s seeking spiritual guidance doesn’t mean he’s discussing GLBT issues. You weren’t there so can’t say what was discussed.
Before you throw stones, how many of you have completely disassociated yourselves from someone who disagrees with GLBT issues and how much did it benefit us.
Cristov:
Giving Warren an opportunity to speak at his inauguration is not just a meeting. Seeking spiritual guidance from people who actively work to hurt the LGBT community is not the right thing to do. I have the right to my opinion, and I have the right to let Obama know my opinion.
No matter who is in office, the gay community should be speaking out when it’s mistreated. Sometimes people don’t know what message they’re sending. Until I have equal rights as a lesbian, I will continue to speak out and I urge everyone else to do the same.
@Kerrie
Again. You have no idea what the conversation was with these leaders. If you’re going to attack, attack them for what they have actually said not what you assume may have happened. You absolutely right. You should voice your opinions but form those opinions on facts not conjecture.
Cristov:
Are you saying that you think Obama is not seeking spiritual advice, but possibly informing these men that ex-gay therapy is wrong? If that is the case, I think Obama needs to know how ignorant I and many others are in assuming he’s becoming a little too friendly with the people who hurt our community. He should clarify this matter for all of us who are confused. I’d also like to know why the separation of church and state is such a joke in this country.
As far as facts go, I was pleased when he endorsed the UN statement calling for the worldwide decriminalization of homosexuality. However, when I heard over and over the line that “Supporting this statement commits us to no legal obligations,” I became less pleased.
What drives me nuts is people who have put Obama on a pedestal when he is just a human being like the rest of us. His charisma and winning smile should not keep us from focusing on our goals of equality. I couldn’t be more pleased that he beat McCain, but his job has just begun and there is a lot of work to do. It’s important that we don’t become complacent.
@Kerrie
No I’m not and again for the record the article doesn’t say what advice he sought. He could be seeking advice on any number of issues. There’s quite a bit going on in the world if you haven’t noticed. He doesn’t have to seeking them out specifically concerning GLBT issues. The article doesn’t say he has so I’m saying it can not and should not be assumed. Thank you for admitting that you and others are indeed making huge assumptions.
Do you really expect the President to clarify his EVERY move? Do you make such demands of all others in public office?
The separation of church and state has been a slipper slop since it’s inception by our forefathers but even they knew that it would take discussions of civility and mutual respect to resolve future conflicts. This is not something new to President Obama so perhaps you should do some further research and take a crack at it from a historical perspective instead of adding it to unrelated issues. As an American I feel it’s absolutely important that all people exercise their religious freedoms; without them having theirs, we can not have our own. It’s no more right or empowering to trample the rights others our exercising under the Constitution.
Just as you said he has just begun to take on the responsibilities of the job. Give him more than a 100 of the 1460 days before you crucify him over what is clearly an assumption.
Cristov:
You make all the excuses you want for Obama. You can attack me all you want. I will continue to fight for the equality we all deserve.
Signing off.
to all,
im afraid people have been misinformed of what a president responsiblity are. it’s his COUNTY not a certain group, people, race, ect that should guide him. it’s funny how these same people have that issue with his personal guidance but don’t realize their need for help. i’m mean people come on so what if your gay, straight or what ever… or whether people single you out you should have enough self confident that what other do don’t matter UNLESS you have your own conviction that is exposed by what other are saying or doing. for the record whether gay of straight are you a fornicating? i bet know one will answer that now deal with your own issue and accept your own responsiblity and get over yourself. HE IS THE PRESIDENT NOT GOD WHO HAS ALREADY JUDGED THE WORLD! not write your letters to him or talk to him i bet you won’t because you are still living low concern about what people say and not how God thinks about you and how he lover the sinner and will forever hate sin. much love