Obama Adds Gay Pastor to Gospel Tour

Barack Obama held a conference call today announcing that he is adding out gay United Church of Christ pastor Andy Sidden to his South Carolina gospel tour after the controversy surrounding his decision to tour with anti-gay pastor Donnie McClurkin.

Rev. McClurkin is an "ex-gay" gospel singer and minister who performed at the Republican National Convention in 2004 and who has vowed to battle "the curse of homosexuality" by turning people straight with religious intervention.

Yesterday, Obama said on his web site, "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 of 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."

Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign, said in a statement, "I spoke with Sen. Barack Obama today and expressed to him our community's disappointment for his decision to continue to remain associated with Rev. McClurkin, an anti-gay preacher who states the need to 'break the curse of homosexuality.' There is no gospel in Donnie McClurkin's message for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people and their allies. That's a message that certainly doesn't belong on any Presidential candidate's stage."

"I did thank him for announcing he would be adding an openly gay minister as part of the tour and for his willingness to call on religious leaders to open a dialogue about homophobia. We hope that Sen. Obama will move forward and facilitate face to face meetings with religious leaders, like Rev. McClurkin, and the GLBT community to confront the issue of homophobia."

"We also call on all of the Presidential campaigns to look within their ranks of supporters and make the same commitment to engage in a dialogue among differing views around issues of equality and fairness for our community," Solmonese added.