(USA) - Truth Wins Out called on the democratic presidential candidate 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 TWO.
"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."
McClurkin says he once suffered from "the curse of homosexuality" and has used his platform as a well-known gospel singer to spread untruths about Gay and Lesbian people.
"There are countless numbers of people who are not happy in this lifestyle and want to be freed from it," said McClurkin. "They were thrust into homosexuality by neglect, abuse and molestation, and want desperately to live normal lives and one day have a happy home and family."
"McClurkin's explanations for homosexuality are patently absurd, unscientific and have no basis in fact," said Besen. "He is a sad figure who is using his celebrity to demean and diminish the lives of healthy Gay people who have chosen to live openly and honestly. I can't imagine why the Obama campaign would choose to associate with a man who is so closely identified with hatred and discrimination."
Truth Wins Out [4] is a non-profit organization that counters right wing propaganda, exposes the "ex-Gay" myth and educates America about Gay life.
