Several dozen people demonstrated outside the DFW Airport Marriott, where the National Association for Research & Therapy of Homosexuality (NARTH) held its annual conference. Members discussed the use of therapy to suppress someone’s homosexual desires. The message from the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender groups protesting the events is that homosexuality needs no cure because it is not an illness and that attempts to convert gays is destructive and based on quack science.
Language Used In Letter Echo’s Offensive 1998 Million Dollar Ex-Gay Campaign NEW YORK – Truth Wins Out criticized a letter from GLBT advocates and African American preachers defending Barack Obama’s poor decision to offer a platform to virulently anti-gay gospel singer Donnie McClurkin. In an effort to win the crucial Democratic primary in South Carolina, the Obama campaign seems willing to open it’s “big tent” to bigots at the expense of GLBT citizens, says Truth Wins Out.
“Pastor McClurkin believes and has stated things about sexual orientation that are deeply hurtful and offensive to many Americans, most especially to gay Americans,” the letter said. “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.”
Truth Wins Out condemned the letter as empty rhetoric that skirts the central issues, while doing nothing to lessen intolerance. Furthermore, the letter is inconsistent with Obama’s admirable efforts to practice a “different kind of politics.”
“This incoherent letter basically says, ‘we know McClurkin’s message is despicable, but hey, we really need the bigot vote in South Carolina, so we are willing to surrender our core principles and pander to anti-gay preachers,’” said Truth Wins Out’s Executive Director Wayne Besen. “The letter is a false compromise, that only compromises the values of dignity and respect for all people. For all the feel good language in this letter, GLBT voters are not feeling very good about the way they have been treated during this controversy.”
Indeed, even the language used in this letter was eerily reminiscent of the 1998 “Truth In Love” right wing ad campaign that said homosexuals could be “cured” through prayer. The print and television campaign featured the late football star Reggie White and featured ex-gay activist John Paulk, who was later photographed in a gay bar in Washington. According to the letter: (Read More)
Several dozen people demonstrated Saturday outside the DFW Airport Marriott, where the National Association for Research & Therapy of Homosexuality is holding its annual conference. Members are discussing new research in conversion therapy: the use of therapy to suppress someone’s homosexual desires. The message from the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender groups protesting at both events is that homosexuality needs no cure because it is not an illness and that attempts to convert gays to a straight lifestyle are based on quack science. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram wrote on today’s protest. Truth Wins Out will provide video of the demonstration and press conference in the coming days. (Read More)
Truth Wins Out Offers To Help McClurkin Accept Himself So He Can Live With Dignity and Respect
New York - Truth Wins Out urged Donnie McClurkin to set the record straight after a man on the website Clay Cane said he was having sexual relations with the Grammy winning singer, even as he preached anti-gay sermons. If the allegations are true, McClurkin should cancel his appearance at the Obama rally and learn to be true to himself.
“McClurkin should do the Obama campaign a favor and bow out gracefully, so he has time to reflect on his alleged hypocrisy and come to a place of self-acceptance,” said Truth Wins Out’s Executive Director Wayne Besen. “We offer a helping hand to assist him in the coming out process. Truth Wins Out understands that the notion of ‘ex-gay’ is a myth and McClurkin will be conflicted until he lives honestly and openly.”
Truth Wins OUT is a non-profit organization that counters right wing propaganda, exposes the “ex-gay” myth and educates America
The Obama campaign hit a sour note when it chose to woo African American voters in South Carolina this weekend with a gospel concert featuring virulently homophobic and “ex-gay” gospel crooner Donnie McClurkin.
It is a shame, and quite ironic, that Barack Obama is in the center of this explosive controversy. The Senator has a solid record on GLBT rights, gay people are active in his campaign and by all accounts he is an ally to our community. Indeed, I personally admire Obama and think he would make a good president.
But, the embrace of McClurkin, an extremist who refers to homosexuality as a “curse,”is downright insulting. On more than one occasion, McClurkin has used his celebrity to demean GLBT people and disseminate blatantly false information about our lives. (Read More)
Truth Wins Out responded today to a statement released by Sen. Barack Obama’s campaign, which condemned “homophobia”, but made no mention of cutting ties with homophobic “ex-gay” singer Donnie McClurkin, who is scheduled to appear in a South Carolina gospel tour promoting Obama’s campaign. Truth Wins Out contacted the Obama campaign for further comment, but they have yet to respond. Last night, the Obama campaign placed the following statement on its website:
“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.”
While Truth Wins Out is grateful that Obama reiterated his support for equal rights, the group believes that Obama should have reinforced his talking points by canceling the appearance of McClurkin. Offering a platform to a man who refers to homosexuality as a “curse” sends the wrong message and is inconsistent with the inclusive theme of the Obama campaign.
“Obama’s statement was inadequate and we are disappointed that he failed to sever ties with Donnie McClurkin. We strongly encourage Obama to do the right thing and demonstrate real leadership on this issue,” said Truth Wins Out’s Executive Director Wayne Besen. “Obama is missing a real opportunity to educate Americans and send a strong message that anti-gay rhetoric is repulsive and unacceptable.”
Singer Donnie McClurkin’s Divisive Rhetoric Defies Obama’s Pledge To Bring Americans Together, says TWO
NEW YORK - Truth Wins Out called on Sen. Barack Obama to immediately distance his campaign from “ex-gay” preacher and gospel singer Donnie McClurkin. Obama is scheduled to tour South Carolina with the controversial singer, even though McClurkin’s mean-spirited rhetoric runs counter to the senator’s conciliatory efforts, says Truth Wins Out.
“We strongly urge Obama to part ways with this divisive preacher who is clearly singing a different tune than the stated message of the campaign,” said Truth Wins Out’s Executive Director Wayne Besen. “We can only hope that Obama is unaware of McClurkin’s anti-gay history and will swiftly condemn such intolerance. Real leadership includes standing up to those who drive wedges between the American people.” (Read More)
This Truth Wins Out video tells the story of four courageous women who married closeted gay men. They had no idea that their husbands were “ex-gay” and the experience was traumatizing.
In this exclusive National Coming Out Day video, these survivors warn about the harm done by ex-gay programs that promote marriage as a cure for homosexuality - whether explicitly or implicitly. Not only do these marriages almost always fail, but they hurt the innocent spouses and children and treat them as props or collateral damage. While ex-gay organizations, such as Exodus and Focus on the Family, love to show the wedding pictures, they never show you the divorce papers. This video is a powerful reality check and a warning for those who would marry thinking that it will help them go from gay to straight.
This Truth Wins Out video tells the story of four courageous women who married closeted gay men. They had no idea that their husbands were “ex-gay” and the experience was traumatizing.
In this exclusive National Coming Out Day video, these survivors warn about the harm done by ex-gay programs that promote marriage as a cure for homosexuality - whether explicitly or implicitly. Not only do these marriages almost always fail, but they hurt the innocent spouses and children and treat them as props or collateral damage. While ex-gay organizations, such as Exodus and Focus on the Family, love to show the wedding pictures, they never show you the divorce papers. This video is a powerful reality check and a warning for those who would marry thinking that it will help them go from gay to straight.
