Obama for America

LGBT and African American faith community leaders issuse joint statement in support of Sen. Obama.

To Whom It May Concern:

As representatives of Barack Obama supporters from the African American religious community and the gay community, we are issuing a statement together for the first time.  Our letter addresses the recent issue of Pastor Donnie McClurkin singing at Senator Obama’s “Embrace the Change” concert series.  In the midst of division, we hope and believe that this is a moment to bring together communities that have been divided for far too long.

A few things are clear. 

First, Pastor McClurkin believes and has stated things about sexual orientation that are deeply hurtful and offensive to many Americans, most especially to gay Americans.  This cannot and should not be denied.

At the same time, a great many African Americans share Pastor McClurkin’s beliefs.  This also cannot be ignored.

Finally, we believe that the only way for these two sides to find common ground is to do so together. 

Not at arms length.  Not in a war of words with press and pundits.  Only together. 

It is clear that Barack Obama is the only candidate who has made bringing these two often disparate groups together a goal.  In gatherings of LGBT Americans and African Americans of faith, Obama has stated that all individuals should be afforded full civil rights regardless of their sexual orientation, and that homophobia must be eradicated in every corner of our nation.  If we are to end homophobia and secure full civil rights for gay Americans, then we need an advocate within the Black community like Barack Obama. 

At the same time, while Obama has said that he "strongly disagrees" with Pastor McClurkin's comments, he will not exclude from his campaign the many Americans including many in the African American community who believe the same as Pastor McClurkin.

We believe that Barack Obama is constructing a tent big enough for LGBT Americans who know that their sexual orientation is an innate and treasured part of their being, and for African American ministers and citizens who believe that their religion prevents them from fully embracing their gay brothers and sisters.  And if we are to confront our shared challenges we have to join together, build on common ground, and engage in a civil dialogue even when we disagree.

We also ask Senator Obama’s critics to consider the alternatives.  Would we prefer a candidate who ignores the realities in the African American community and cuts off millions of Blacks who believe things offensive to many Americans?  Or a panderer who tells African Americans what they want to hear, at the expense of our gay brothers and sisters? Or would we rather stand with Barack Obama, who speaks truth in love to both sides, pulling no punches but foreclosing no opportunities to engage?

We stand with Senator Obama.  We stand with him because of the solutions he is proposing for our nation.  We stand with him because of his character and his judgment.  But the most important reason we stand with him is because today, as he has done all along, Barack Obama is causing us to stand together. 

That's the kind of President we need, and we are proud to support him. 

Sincerely,

Rev. Dr. Otis Moss, Jr.

Olivet Institutional Baptist Church

Chair, Obama National African American Religious Leaders Working GroupCleveland, Ohio

Stampp Corbin

Chair, Obama National LGBT Leadership Council

Former Member of Human Rights Campaign Board of Directors

Columbus, Ohio

Tobias Barrington Wolff

Chair, Obama LGBT Policy Committee

Professor of Law, University of Pennsylvania Law School

Philadelphia, PA

The Reverend Stephen John Thurston

President

National Baptist Convention of America

Chicago, IL

The Reverend Alvin Love

President

Baptist General State Convention of Illinois, Inc.

Bishop E. Earl McCloud, Jr.

Office of Ecumenical & Urban Affairs

African Methodist Episcopal Church

Atlanta, GA

Steven Latasa-Nicks

President, The Phelon Group, Inc.

Former Human Rights Campaign Board of Governors

New York, NY

Maxim Thorne

Former COO, Human Rights Campaign

Paterson, NJ

Phil Burgess

Former Human Rights Campaign Board of Directors

Chicago, IL

Rev. Dr. Barbara Williams-Skinner

Skinner Leadership Institute

Tracy’s Landing, MD

Rev. Michael Pfleger

St. Sabina, Chicago

Rev. Edward Taylor

San Jose, CA

The Reverend Robert H. Thompson 

Exeter, NH

Sharon Malheiro

LGBT Activist

Des Moines, IA

Hon. Jon Cooper

Majority Leader, Suffolk County (NY) Legislature

Rev. Paul Hobson Sadler, Sr., Pastor

Mt. Zion Congregational UCC

Long Island, NY

Senator Obama’s statement:

“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.

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 to fight for these rights as President of the United States to ensure that America is a country that spreads tolerance instead of division.”

My brief comments:

I will continue to support Sen. Obama for the reasons described in these statements.

I do believe he supports equality for GLBT Americans and he has always stood for uniting people despite their differences.

How we can expect him to engage our "enemies" in Iran or elsewhere, if we can't look past the differences among ourselves?

The inclusion of someone in his campaign with conflicting views than my own will not turn me away from supporting him. It is the views of the candidate that matter most , and his record and his own words each reflect his support for GLBT Americans. That matter most. And so he continues to have my support. - Scott A. Giordano