The selection of pastor Rick Warren to give the invocation at the inauguration is stirring up a whole heap of controversy for President Elect Barack Obama. Gay rights activists, still stinging from the passage of Proposition 8, are especially upset. Joining them are a choir of progressive bloggers and others who see it as a bad move on Obama's part.
Rick Warren has openly compared same-sex marriage to pedophilia and incest, and these radical comments are what is upsetting many. He was also actively involved in the campaign for passing Proposition 8, which Obama did not support.
Obama for his part has defended the selection, saying it's only in the spirit of coming together, and that he does not share Warren's views on gay rights. Still, many are questioning the selection and calling this Barack Obama's first big mistake. What do others think about Rick Warren speaking at the inauguration?
– Andy
Here’s what I sent to http://www.change.gov early this morning – friends have contributed since then much more eloquently:
“I am simply appalled at the decision to choose evangelical pastor Rick Warren to deliver the invocation at the presidential inauguration next month. I have to assume there was some political motive behind it. I guess it was inevitable that I would eventually be disappointed by some decision or policy or appointment, but I didn’t think it would come before the Inauguration and I certainly never expected it to be slap in the face for the GLBT community. Ugh!”
I urge you to pen your own message to the President-Elect so that he never forgets his promises and knows we are watching and listening.
I think in times such as these we all need to rise about these types of pithy political debates. Clearly this pastor is a man of ignorance, and unfortunely speaks for all too many people around the world. I think as a community we are best not to to provoke such people, but rise above it and focus on what really matters. I don’t believe Obama is anti-gay, i think he is perhaps being smart in getting these people on board in an effort to bring about positive change. Who knows in time maybe such people will learn the error of their ways. But if not, we shouldn’t let that deter us from our greatr mission – fighting for TRUE ACCEPTANCE AND EQUALITY FOR ALL! not just gay people but ALL people.
I agree: TRUE ACCEPTANCE AND EQUALITY FOR ALL! Not just gay people but ALL people.
WHY ARE GAY MEN SURPRISED AT OBAMA, HAVEN’T YOU ALL FIGURED IT OUT, REMEMBER PREACHER wRIGHT, COME ONE MEN, DONT BE SO FOOLED, HE HAS NO INTEREST IN HELPING ANYONE BUT HIMSELF, A SELF SERVING DECIVING MAN AND THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING…
WE SHOULD HAVE EXPECTED THIS NOT BE CAUGHT OFF GUARD WITH OBAMA MANIA, GET A HOLD OF OURSELVES AND SEE THIS MAN FOR WHO HE REALLY IS, Barrack HUSSEIN Obama, get it?
Yeah, definitely, Obama’s middle name is Hussein, that makes him a totally bad person.
While I am as shocked and disappointed by this decision as most others, I do believe it was nothing more than an error in judgment and perhaps a botched attempt to “reach across the aisle.”
I agree with Kevin that it is probably a botched attempt to reach across the aisle. There is four years ahead of us and this is just one point.
I do find it interesting that this subject is coming up in this manner on manhunt. One of the large shareholders of manhunt and its former chairman of the board was a significant campaign contibuter to John McCain. There is a part of this article that strikes me as a little sour grapes.
Among the articles on the blog we have topics like Kelly Clarkson’s come back, Jim Carey’s top ten list and the rentboy 2009 calendar. This is the only serious issue article that gets published about the transition?
Does make one wonder.
Seriously, I liked the advice column.
I really don’t need to a read about political activism on here considering the owners are die hard Republicans.
The man has been invited to give an invocation. It’s a prayer……not an endorsement of the man’s personal beliefs.
While it might be difficult to accept, INCLUSION means INCLUSION of everyone, no matter who or how we might disagree with them.
The transition team invited a GLBT marching band to play in the parade. What else do you want? WE got the man as President…..give the man a chance!
they’ve been blogging about prop 8 since the beginning. I dunno i actually like reading the blog.
Equal rights for ALL means ALL Inclusive! So Obama is doing just that and including ALL. There’s a right wing prayer coming…and a GLBT band performing. If we’re going to take our stand on including everyone…we need to do just that. It’s not about special rights is it? It’s about equal rights. It’s all good, relax, the journey is just about to begin.
Incld everyone, but make no mistake, Obama is playing all fields, left, right, middle and far from all angles. I still haven’t got a handle on where this man will go, but the fact that he’s not keen on gay marriage is a big indicator that his relgion speaks volumes for his beliefs and morals.
In all honesty, I feel Obama’s choice was pretty good. It’s a way to symbolize that, no matter what our differences, we need to join together, now more than ever. In truth, it’s quite an ingenious plan.
What’s the big deal. It’s not like he’s being appointed to some high ranking position in the White House. He’s just going to say a prayer. I think if we all throw a hissy fit over this moron. We will do more harm then good to ourselves. We need to stop acting like a stereotype fags. That people like this preacher and his following think we all are. And as far as Obama. I personally didn’t think I would see a black man in the White House in my life time. But he is. Let’s give him chance. We’ve had white men in the position for over 200 yrs and look whats happened. Lets give some other race a chance. I don’t think he can screw it up any more then it already is. So far he seems smarter then the idiot he’s replacing.
as a gay man….i fully support rICK wARREN and all that he stands for..He is prolife and gay people the world over should be too….until the preborn children have their civil rights….we shouldnt be talking about selfish marriage rights for gays
BTW, Why are radical gay guys so vindictive and angry…You dont see conservative, prolife, profamily people using such invective on so many fronts. Obama is a disaster…Look at his associates and what is happening in Illinois.and look at his four votes in favor of refusing to protect babies who survive botched abortions. God wil never bless a country which condones legal abortion, destroys families…kills women…maims them psych. and otherwise!!!!