Obama Picking a Lesbian and Gay Hater to Speak is Of Course Sad and Will most like bring out more "justified" hate our way.
Public Affairs Officer
323-993-7623
L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center Calls on Obama to Disinvite Homophobic Rick Warren From Delivering Inaugural InvocationPresident-Elect's Big Tent of Hope Stretches to Include BigotryLOS ANGELES, December 18, 2008-In response to President-Elect Barack Obama's selection of homophobic mega-church minister Rick Warren to deliver the invocation at the presidential inauguration, L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center Chief of Staff Darrel Cummings has issued the following statement:"
L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center Calls on Obama to Disinvite Homophobic Rick Warren From Delivering Inaugural InvocationPresident-Elect's Big Tent of Hope Stretches to Include BigotryLOS ANGELES, December 18, 2008-In response to President-Elect Barack Obama's selection of homophobic mega-church minister Rick Warren to deliver the invocation at the presidential inauguration, L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center Chief of Staff Darrel Cummings has issued the following statement:"
If President-elect Obama's selection of Rick Warren to give his inaugural invocation is intended to send a message to America that he will be an inclusive leader, then he has clearly made a decision that the exclusion of the LGBT community is acceptable.Inclusion is generally a term referencing the involvement of those who have been historically underrepresented, the subject of historic discrimination, or unrecognized altogether. The inclusion of people with disabilities in public policy decision-making related to housing and building codes, for example, is vital and a relatively new trend. T
his kind of action not only sends an important symbolic message to people with disabilities and to the larger community, it contributes to better policy.Mega-church multi- media stars and religious "leaders" like Rick Warren have been overrepresented in government decision making for many years and have brought their narrow, exclusionary brand of theology into the oval office, Congress and the Supreme Court. They amass great wealth, own powerful financial empires, and preach division on the public airways. Yes, they and their followers are part of America-a relatively large part-but they are redundant as messengers of inclusion since they have always had influence over government, especially since 1980.
The unfortunate consequence of this "big tent" approach is that Obama is not really sending a message of inclusion, at least not the kind that invites into the tent those who have been historically and intentionally locked out for so long. Instead, on the first day of his presidency, he plans to send a very clear message that LGBT people are only welcome if we are agreeable to our own oppression, as represented by his choice of spiritual leader on inauguration day. Obama's response to press inquiries on the subject rings hollow.
He talks about others like Southern Christian Leadership Conference President Joseph Lowery who will share the spotlight and bring alternative views to the stage, as though it's important to have "balanced" representation regarding the issue of our civil rights. Joseph Lowery does not represent an alternative viewpoint to Warren.
He represents an ethical and just choice on behalf of people historically oppressed and left off the presidential stage. Is it important to "balance" the work of a person who has spent his life fighting racial bigotry and discrimination with someone who opposes those ideals? Are these the politics of hope we have heard so much about?Continuing his defense, Obama spoke eloquently about his campaign's support for full equality for lesbians and gay men as an indication of how he will govern. Unfortunately, he did not and does not now stand for our full equality since he has made it clear that he opposes marriage equality. In this regard, he walks in lock step with Warren, even though Obama opposed the passage of Prop 8.Warren played an important role in helping to re-write the California constitution to eliminate our rights. So now it is clear.
If President-elect Obama does not disinvite Rick Warren, then he is defining what inclusion in America will mean under his administration. It will mean that the practice of bigotry is acceptable, and that as president-in the name of "inclusion"-he will provide a place and platform for that bigotry to be expressed and grow. Apparently we are welcome into the big tent of hope, but if we choose to enter, we should do so knowing we are in hostile, yet "balanced" territory."
No comments:
Post a Comment