OlderAlan Cumming: Barack Obama Wrong To Ask Rick Warren
President-elect Barack Obama has chosen Orange County mega-pastor Rick Warren to deliver the invocation at his swearing, which has dismayed many Hollywood liberals. Actor Alan Cumming has taken to HuffPo to voice his opinion:
“In many ways Rick Warren is like a lot of people we know — friends’ dads or people we meet on planes that are pleasant but occasionally offer an opinion that gives you a startling glimpse into the darkness of their souls. Comparing same-sex relationships with incest and pedophilia is a case in point…
“I, like the majority of Americans, feel that gay people are unfairly discriminated against, and it is time they were afforded equal rights. I have heard the president-elect espouse these same opinions many times, and unlike some friends I have talked to over the last few days, I have no fears that he has altered these opinions in any way or that the invitation to Mr. Warren compromises them and his desire to see them enacted into law.
“Obama is very clearly showing his promise to be everyone’s president — from little, lefty queers like me to big, right-wing religious bigots like Rick Warren. (And he is a bigot. Go look it up in the dictionary.)
“And that, finally, is what is so upsetting and insulting about the idea that Rick Warren will be standing on the podium on this great day of celebration for a new America: because this whole thing is not about gay rights or policy or differences of opinion. It is about human decency and respect. Let’s face it, a generation ago Rick Warren would have made Barack Obama sit at the back of the bus, and now it’s the gays who are back there and we feel kind of lonely.”
Read Alan Cumming’s full entry at HuffingtonPost.com.
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Is this guy for real, he has taken to Jared to voice his opinion, as if anyone besides him cares about it …. I’m shocked that the New York Times didn’t give him a opinion column to vent his irrelevant thoughts on Obama invocation speaker…. and what really amazes me is that gays think they elected Obama and that they have a right to dictate to him who and what he should be doing… if every gay person had not voted in the election Obama would have still won. Gays confuse their over representation in entertainment and the media with their numbers in the wider public. And would Anderson Cooper just come out already ….
It’s NOT about “a right to dictate to him who and what he should be doing”.
It’s about promoting Rick Warren who is AGAINST equal rights for all Americans.
Gays should not be second class citizens.
What a ******. A generation ago Rick Warren would have made Barack Obama sit at the back of the bus??? Why does he think he can say something so outlandish about the man? Geez, being gay is NOT the same as being black. This guy is a moron! He also somehow thinks he can speak for the majority of Americans…the majority do NOT think gay people are discriminated against, and the majority do NOT support gay marriage! Talk about trying to bully people into his way of thinking…
Born Free and Equal…Rick Warren is not against equal rights for all Americans, though perhaps he is against special rights for gays. You guys are not a majority…gay people love to use the word “intolerant” but I’ve never seen or heard of such an intolerant group in my 50 years. If people don’t jump on your bandwagon, you crucify. Ease up! It’s EQUAL rights for mankind, not special rights.
I, like so many of my gay friends, gave a lot of money to Obama’s campaign. We worked tirelessly to get him elected. Now Obama decides to invite Rick Warren, who equates gays to rapists and child molesters; and who excludes gays from being members of his church to do the invocation? How many of Warren’s followers do you think gave as much to the campaign as gays did? How many of Warren’s followers worked as hard to get Obama elected as gays did? Warren is to gays what a Grand Wizard of the KKK is to African Americans. Obama has made it perfectly clear with this invitation how he feels about the gay community.
Do you think Obama would have had as much of a landslide if it wasn’t for the gay community? I don’t think so. I hope for his sake that all the evangelicals he is pandering to move over to his camp come reelection time; gays will be voting for a third party candidate from now on. It’s been made perfectly clear that the Democrats don’t want us. Good luck to Obama with his presidency. I don’t support him any longer. I, like so many fell utterly betrayed.
I voted for Obama and don’t like the idea of Rick Warren. However, how can you ever solve your differences if you NEVER talk to your opponents, the people that disagree with you? If you surround yourself with individuals that only share you same POV then you yourself are simply IGNORANT. Obama is going to try is best to make the country tolerant, but, everyone needs to understand that means all groups (White, Black, Asian, Hispanic, Disabled, Military, Muslim, Jews, Gays, Neo Christians- and the works) are going to be upset/angry about some decisions.
JMO
-S
I suggest Mr. Cumming look up the word “bigot”. I did and it surely fits Mr. Cumming.
I’m sorry, but I think Gay/Lesbian people are too sensitive! I have heard Rick Warren’s view on gays and I don’t think he’s a bigot, at all. There’s nothing wrong with him when he stands for what the Holy Bible says. What do homosexuals stand for when they call him a “bigot” and “divisive”…which I think is an utter lie! Rick Warren lives out his faith in a way that helps so many poor, and people with AIDS througout the world…just like Jesus Christ did and still doing through people like Rick! I TOTALLY AGREE WITH Obama’s PICK of Pastor Rick Warren! For that, I will continue to pray for God’s grace and mercy upon our nation because WE are ALL sinners and in need of Jesus Christ’s saving grace.
Joy, you rock, and are VERY articulate and eloquent. Thank you for showing the love of Christ.
oh god ! this makes me sick… I dont get Obama ! i hope it’s not like it is said otherwise i ll get very desapointed !
well let’s see what’s coming next !
Ahem. Isn’t Alan Cummings SCOTTISH?
And didn’t he only very recently consider the US to be worthy of citizenship? Perhaps he has changed his mind now.
some ppl are soo scary ! straight ppl always come up here and spread their superiority ! gay ppl didnt chose/vote for anythg concerning straight laws or rights , so dont come up here to say thxs for showing the love of Christ …
i feel betrayed too ! it’s all about gay ppl and gay point of you and gay rights… wich is not the case for some among you
so wrong
You misunderstand in your anger. What Joy was saying is that Christ loved everyone, wanted to help everyone, be there for everyone, regardless of who we are. He still does. His heart is compassion. But that doesn’t mean He applauds everything we do. He wants what’s best for us, and like a loving parent, has set guidelines for us in His word. You can choose to live by them or not, but it doesn’t mean that those of us who do are bigoted or hate. I think it’s sad you have such hatred for those who esteem God’s Word - which hasn’t changed, by the way. He still wants what’s best for us.
It’s a pandering chice, obviously. I bet a lot of people who claimed to be Obama supporters and are now damning him for it are the same who thought Obama’s onnectiond to Bill Ayres and Jeremiah Wright were superfluous non-issues.
Rick Warren’s books are great. Go Rick!
Good Grief! Obama isn’t a GAY president, he will be President to all. Believe it or not there are more people who think that gays should not be legally allowed to marry than those who think they should. If gays want to live the life, who’s stopping them. They have legal contracts, civil union contracts or whatever they are called that they could write up.
If Gay people are going to take EVERYTHING personally, they’re going to sound just like Peta, like yapping white noise. Pick your battles people. This one is not it. This guy is not going to write policy for Obama, he’s just giving a prayer. .
The final truth of the matter is I don’t care if he gives the prayer at the inauguration. He doesn’t represent me, whatever his beliefs are. This is a country of free speech and that means even if you don’t agree with someone. But when people are trying to make their own point, they seem to forget that. To make such a fuss about this is your choice, but allow that there are differing opinions which are just are valid as yours.
is this cummings guy an American?
I think it’s great that Obama has chosen Rick Warren. Would Cumming prefer he had Jeremiah Wright do it?
Also, I’m personally and deeply insulted that Cumming would dare to compare homosexuals in 2008 to African Americans during segregation. Really? Last time I checked the only “injustice” you’re “suffering” is wanting your civil unions called “marriage”, how exactly is that comparative to the extreme injustices suffered by African Americans during segregation?
I also love that Cumming’s entire statement is about gay rights and how he feels discriminated against, then he tries to change his game at the end and make it about human decency. I find it incredibly indecent that he accused someone he doesn’t know personally (and I would be willing to bet knows VERY little about at all) of being the sort who would’ve promoted segregation and forced African Americans to sit at the back of the bus.
“Born Free and Equal…Rick Warren is not against equal rights for all Americans, though perhaps he is against special rights for gays.”
Right to marry and have a family is NOT a special right.
Gays just want to be treated as straights.
That’s all.
This is not a gay issue and everyone who are for human rights are not for special gay rights. It’s a reality and more of a moral standard for many. Rick Warren hasn’t said nothing than any other bible based faith preacher hasn’t said or thought if the truth be told because it’s in black and white and it can’t be changed no matter how someone may want it to…He’s praying not delivering a speech on condemnation. Good grief…The man is not stupid and Barack isn’t his flunky so get over it…There’s more loons out on the loose than a few…
I voted for Obama and I understand why he picked Mr. Warren, he wants to open his tent to include the religious right. But it saddened me and I have to agree with Mr. Cummings. Mr. Warren may do a lot of good work, but he is also ignorant and misguided. In this country it is illegal to discriminate based on race, creed and religion but it does not protect people of different sexual orientation. Like Jon Stewart said when he had Mike Huccabee on his show, people choose their religion but they can’t choose being gay or lesbian. And why do many religious people forget we are ALL made in God’s image? When people say that gays are “too sensitive” I wonder how they would feel if they were denied the rights that everyone else takes for granted. Not that long ago women couldn’t vote, blacks sat at the back of the bus, people of different races couldn’t marry. How does gays wanting the same rights that all other American’s enjoy “special rights”.? The majority has no right to discriminate against a minority. It is time for ALL the people in this country to have equal rights.
Sara, do you ever get tired of your ignorance?
I continue to be shocked that this is even an issue. Who cares who Obama picked to deliver the invocation??? And I agree, homosexuals and thier supporters are overly sensitive about issues such as these. Obama is going to be the President of the United States, let him choose who will give the prayer at his inauguration for Pete’s sake!!
Y’all white folks and gays need to stop comparing the gay marriage thing to the black civil rights movement. There’s no comparison. Maybe I missed it in my history class where they taught us about gays being lynched or having to use separate restrooms or drink from separate water fountains or go to separate schools or live in different neighborhoods than straights - the way blacks were treated.
If it were a generation ago, or two, blacks would still be sitting in the back of the bus, if it were up to gays. I live in DC and most white gays I know can’t even stand blacks.
On the other hand, I can see why you’re upset. Barack would never have a member of the Klan or a racist group speak, because it would offend blacks - and blacks are really the only group that Barack Obama will not dare offend. The rest of you - gays, feminists - he couldn’t care less, so get used to it. He’ll call on you again when he runs for reelection.
This dork is from Britian. I’m glad he’s proud to be gay, it makes the road better for our children and grandchildren. But there is NO comparison to prop 8 and the Black Civil Rights movement!
So sad to see a lot of people saying gays and lesbians are being too sensitive. They have every right to speak out against a man who clearly discriminates. I bet these posters wouldn’t be singing the same tune if they were being discriminated against.
I get that Warren has done good things, but the bottom line is that he refuses to see that gays and lesbians are equal. He can say that opinion is formed because of his religion, but it still doesn’t wash. Religions discriminate, and the whole gay and lesbian issue proves that beyond a shadow of a doubt.
People say we as a country have come so far as a people, and to a point we have. We have elected an African-American president, and decades ago that was an impossibility. But, it’s obvious that we have also taken 2 steps back in regards to homosexuality. And that is a shame.
Re: “and blacks are really the only group that Barack Obama will not dare offend. The rest of you - gays, feminists - he couldn’t care less, so get used to it. He’ll call on you again when he runs for reelection.”
And we’ll say na na na na, na na na na, hey hey hey GOODBYE!
Let the right wing wackos vote for him next time.
Alan Cumming must be one of the most ignorant imbeciles I’ve ever heard. If he had done any research into Rick Warren, he would know that he is a man of integrity. He and his wife have set up an international organization to help those with AIDS, gone into 3rd World countries themselves and helped these victims when others are afraid to go near them.
–What has Alan Cummings done? Just rant and rave because all he knows in his little peanut head is that Rick Warren is a Christian pastor. He is the true bigot. He goes on one word: ‘Christian’ and decides that they are all bigots when he probably doesn’t know one personally, has never stepped into a church, or read even a chapter of the Bible.
Robert like many other gay people always place the blame game on minorities, especially black people. No, they were never hung like the blacks were, they never had to sit at the end of a bus either, nor did they never had to use a separate restroom either. Gay men use the same restrooms as straight men and blah, blah. What is it with gay people, why are they sooo touchy and sensitive? Everybody knows that deep down they feel guilty about their lifestyles, and they will do anything to keep their lifestyle alive for generations and generations to come. Unfortunately, gay people will forever exist with heterosexuals, yet they never stop pushing the envelope about gay marriage. It’s not right, why don’t they just except the fact that they can still have fun, in sptie of the fact that they will no longer be able to wed soon. Yes, there are many gay men in jail that has raped and killed innocent little boys, that are on death row and some put to death as we speak, because of their uncontrollable, sick lusts. Why should that bother you Mr. Cummings, do you have anything you want to get off your chest!!!?
Someone said earlier that being gay is not the same as being black.
In many ways that is true but where he is trying to draw the connection is at the fact that both groups were (and still are depending on where you live) discriminated against for something that they don’t really have any control over. Some may argue that gay people do have control over it because they can chose not to be, but honnestly have you ever tried controlling who you love or telling yourself not to love someone? It’s not very easy. If you love someone it’s pretty impossible to tell your heart otherwise.
On another note, what’s an invocation? I am not American and therefore don’t really know the process that goes with swearing in a president. Im asuming from the context in jj’s post its some sort of religious sermony thing or something?
Rick Warren is a fantastic choice! Who cares what the idiot Brit thinks. The world has a lot of problems and all we hear about is gay gay gay gay gay gay gay gay gay gay gay gay gay. Enough already, I am soooooooooooooooooo sick of it already. GET A LIFE.
You know what…we cant criticize anyones religous views EXCEPT christians?? Christians have a right to believe what they want. In todays world everything is so PC its sickening…we cant say merry christmas,Whites and christians are really the last groups of people you can say prejudice things against…and dont say that isnt true because it is! I hear it every day. Since liberals are supposed to be so open minded and accepting, why dont they accept the fact that christians can believe what they want about homosexuality…and stop trying to make everything thats not the norm the norm!! Stpo trying to make christians feel like they need to change..because if they are real christians they wont…no matter whta names you liberals want to throw at them. And having a religious view that homosexuality is wrong is not homophobia!!!! Its a freakin view people! Lay the **** off!!! Oh yeah and MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yeah, Rick Warren compares being gay to incest and pedophilia… why? because many gay people are molested and raped as children and that’s all they know. Top notch celebs and other free minded people that are gay, are just perverted. They start out with the opposite sex, and when that’s not good enough, they look towards something that is different and that they can get more pleasure out of. sick right? like for those old men who are married to WOMEN yet still rape their son… it’s new and exciting.. but then they claim it’s real love, and they can’t control who they love. BS. i for one, have tried to be cordial about discussing homosexuality, but why? this is the truth… I dare anyone to show me a gay/or lesbian person that has not been with the opposite sex, or is gay as a result of sexual abuse!!
Gay people are not evil, but their actions are ridiculous and perverted. Stop trying to say they are being opressed, when the truth is, they have more freedom that any other citizen. It’s just getting old, and I’m tired of hearing about gay people. It’s like get on with your life and stop thinking everyone is out to get you. What, are straight people stopping you from holding hands, holding your little rallies? No.
AND never compare homosexuality ” opression” to what African Americans went through. If you are someone with common sense and a real education, you would never think this.
PS: I applaud President Elect- Barak Obama for this… The prayers of our Christian community are working and this is just a sign of it. Keep it up fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.
Alan Cumming’s needs to shut the **** up.
#19
Jonna,
Gays are ALWAYS trying to equate the fact that they are not allowed to “marry” to the atrocities suffered by African Americans during the Civil Rights era.
i dont think it’s big deal
americans ***** too much
it’s his friends. none of us agree all the time with our friends
that doesnt me we shun them
http://www.thatshideous.com
This born-and-bred American agrees with that “idiot Brit” 100%. You don’t make your message one of inclusion and then start your presidency with an invocation whose central message is one of excluding a good 5% of our country’s population. Clearly Obama’s not *so* much the voice of change that he’s above pandering to a class of people who use the hateful voices of ancient ramblings and power-hungry religious figures as an excuse to practice hate and deny an underrepresented minority its right to basic civil rights.
P.S. Say what you will about the difference between blacks and gays, but history will find some of the views expressed on this board just as repulsive and incomprehensible as the mentality of people who thought blacks were a sub-class of humans.
A lot of people are missing the point of Obama asking this guy to say a prayer. Obama is trying to reach out to all Americans!! NOT JUST THE GAY community!! I am all for gay marriage and all,but you guys are missing the big picture and are sounding just as angry and hateful as what you are trying to fight against. Did you ever think that Obama might have help this guy see a different point of view that what he already thinks about the gays? Hello Obama wants America to be one America, not just gay America,conservative America or liberal America. I’m surprised a lot of people don’t get it.
I love how one gay person who is pissed at this is all of a sudden saying, “The Gay community won’t be voting for Obama anymore”.
Oh REALLY??? Doubt it.
You are only one person. You don’t speak for the ‘gay community’ and the ONLY PEOPLE angry at the is those on the FAR-LEFT.
This to shall pass. Obama is the President for everyone and he is including another Pastor there who is not an Evangelical. That way he is trying to be as inclusive as possible. This was his message from the get go.
I love how some people on the FAR-LEFT always get pissed and angry over superficial things like this 3 MINUTE PRAYER. Its not like Warren is being hired to be on the Obama Administration so chill out.
Obama has been the most PRO-GAY President Elect ever and the most PRO-WOMAN, if you bothered to look at where he stands - you would know that.
Third Party votes only give the Republicans more of a chance to win Office. Remember 2000, when those on the FAR-LEFT voted for NADER and GEORGE BUSH won by the slightest margins? Yeah, and you guys on the FAR-LEFT were the first once to cry about a Republican Whitehouse. Guess what? Your Third-Party vote helped get him elected.
For those angry…. CHILL OUT. This isn’t a big deal. There has always been a Religious leader to open the Inauguration and not one of them has ever been Pro-Gay, so I don’t know what you expect. You should wait to see policy changed. Things that actually matter.
Right on Andrea #40
Obama said, “To those who did not vote for me. I will be your President too”
His message was always about inclusion. Some of these people here do not realize that the hate they spew against Christians and other religious groups sounds just as hateful. You have to work TOGETHER f you want progress.
And no. The gay-struggle is NOTHING compared to the black-struggle. I hate that people say that Gay is the new Black. Its so wrong to compare these two things. Blacks have struggled in America since day 1 and they will continue to struggle. In ever aspect of life.
Rick Warren doesn’t promote hate.
Barack Obama is not going to solve the WORLDS problems over night…C’mon people you all voted for him….he is a good man…
Maybe JUST maybe his experience with Barack with free up his thoughts on gays??
Everyone has placed soooooooooo much pressure on Obama to save the world…well folks he is a human…..and this is A PROCESS….and we will never ever be the picture perfect world you want….
The fact remains most Americans don’t support gay marriage, so why is having this Rev there a big deal when he represents the majority?
I hate to echo what has already been said but Obama has committed himself to bridging the divides that separate us. The only way that you combat intolerance is to be open and inviting of the discussion; and I’m sorry but the reaction from the gay community is anything but reasonable. Obama intends to repeal Don’t Ask/Don’t Tell and he is apparently close to appointing an openly gay man to be the Sec. of the Navy and the gay community is in an uproar about Rick Warren delivering a 90 second prayer? Keep focused on the big issues and stop worrying about the little things. I know this is an unpopular thought but people have the right to think and feel the way they want to about any issue including gay marriage and abortion. It is unfair to label anyone who disagrees as a bigot or a hate monger. It is clear that Obama intends to be the President of everyone and not just those he agrees with and he was explicit about that when he was running. And to the person who talked about Obama only caring about black people, have you seen his cabinet? It seems to me that he is picking a cabinet that represents everyone in America and not just those that look like him. And lastly, perhaps Mr. Cumming doesn’t know the history of black people in America and maybe he needs to educate himself because the sitting at the back of the bus should not be used in such a dismissive manner. Alan Cumming never had to sit at the back of the bus literally or figuratively and it says more about him that he would resort to such rhetoric than it does about Warren or Obama. The gay community is simply showing that they are as capable of bigotry and ignorance as those they criticize so forcefully.
I cannot believe that there are people here who do not undertsand that this is about cvil rights for all people. The LGBT community as well.
Alan Cumming is absolutely right and his op ed piece on Huffington Post (not on JustJared) is a lot more diplomatic than I would be. There is no room at the inauguration to honor people with a prominent role who would deny others their civil rights. That is exactly what Warren wants to do. I don’t care what his “religion” says. He can keep that to himself.
Though I am not particularly surprised by this considering Obama’s history and connections with the homophobic community, it is thoroughly painful that my friends in the LBGT community have to endure such a slap in the face.
As for some of the posters here, I had no idea we had such blatant homophobes posting.
Obama is NOT for GAYS…please. He just wants the GAY VOTES…duh??????
You’re right Fanny, Obama is for everyone and not just for those who agree with him. That’s called tolerance, something that some of us dismiss too easily. And Groundcontrol, stop with the hyperbole. This is the United States of America and we allow for dissenting opinions. Perhaps Obama is leading by example and it’s just sad that so many of you don’t see this as an opportunity for dialogue. And the more you speak the more you resemble the agents of intolerance on the Right.
Right on #48
I agree.
I agree with hmm. Also, it wasn’t just gay people that voted for Obama so to claim sole responsibility for his election is obnoxious. Obama explained why he chose Warren and it seems to me like he is very much about trying to bring all people together even those who disagree because in a country where there is supposed to be free speech, you will have many different opinions about things. The key is to learn to tolerate and learn about our differences and I think that what Obama is about. He isn’t the president for just the gay community.
This guys needs to STFD.
We have real problems here in America. Who cares who is gonna say a prayer.
Unless you have a answer to help our new President as far as getting Americans back to work and our economy back the way it should be, please do us a favor and STFU……and leave Barack Obama alone. It’sjust a prayer idiot.
God bless America and Barack Obama.
Wow, a lot of people don’t tolerate gays at all. I will agree that the comparison drawn likening the treatment of gays to the treatment of blacks is a little dramatic, but the point he is trying to make is that all forms of discrimination is not on. People on this blog should be a little more sensitive. You guys just kinda reinforce the impression that Americans are intolerant and ignorant. Also, people saying that Rick Warren is just a man following “the word of the bible”- well you know what? the bible insinutates that blacks are subordinates whose skin is a “curse”. Obviously, it can’t be taken serioiusly.
Gays want the world to be tolerant towards them but they themselves are not tolerant towards others. I’m sick of hearing the gays complain all the time. Just STFU!
I agree with Cummings 100%. Obama is so wrong on this selection!!!
He’s right. Obama is trying too hard to please the coalition of the ignorant and the intolerant. he needs to stop trying to hard to please everyone. Yes, Evangelicals make up a good number of Americans, but he needs to let them know that it’s not okay to be ignorant and say nasty things. Evangelicals are like China–they’re a growing powerhouse that has issues with human rights and tolerance.
Wow judging by some of these comments on this blog, the concept that you Americans are an intolerant country is proving to be true. Comparing Gays to pedophiles and saying they all rape kids…… Just reinforces the rest of the worlds views about you.
Obama has been the most Pro-Gay and Pro-Woman President-Elect ever!
He has stated that he was AGAINST Prop-8
He wants to get rid of “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell”
A Gay/Lesbian/Transexual band will be playing in the Inauguration
He wants to sign FOCA
He’s Pro-Choice
He has ANOTHER Pastor there who does not share Rick Warren’s view. So that many voices can be heard.
He will likely appoint THREE new Supreme Court Justices to the Supreme Court and they will be Liberal/Progressive.
SO Let’s not lose sight of the BIGGER PICTURE!
And so he is going to discrimate against Rick Warren and say he shouldn’t speak there?
And btw, Alan Cumming, gays do NOT sit at the back of the bus. Get your facts straight.
Tracy - this is a select few people in a very biased group. I can guarantee you that these comments do not accurately represent the whole of America.
over it! @ 12/20/2008 at 2:51 pm
############
You.are.insane. And an ignorant bigot to boot.
Discrimination against a minority is discrimination. No two ways about it.
You can believe any fairy tale you want. Just don’t use it as an excuse to justify your disgraceful treatment or ridiculous beliefs about others.
I am appalled at the right wing ignorance and hate on this thread. Even more so that people dare to suggest that their “religious beliefs” justify it.
Hate is hate. Intolerance is intolerance.
Halli @ 12/20/2008 at 8:56 pm Obama has been the most Pro-Gay and Pro-Woman President-Elect ever!
##########
You couldn’t be more wrong. You clearly have no idea about Obama’s history with a number of anti-gay leaders and his use of their homophobia in a number of his campaigns, his utter failure to deliver on the promises to help defeat Prop 8, or his refusal to walk in even one gay pride parade unlike Hillary who proudly did so.
Obama has trafficked with too many hateful homophobes to even be considered “pro-Gay.” The LGBT community has been wary of Obama from the beginning and that caution is in no way limited to the left wing. At best they hope he will be better than the alternative republican choice but so far they are very disappointed.
We won’t even get into the vile and at times sophomoric misogyny he and his campaign engaged in during this past campaign.
Some people are just so in love they are blind.
61#
Its baby steps. Do you actually think Obama is going to be President for Gays only?
To say his campaign is “homophobe” is a major stretch and pretty ridiculous considering the overwhelming inclusiveness his campaign highlighted.
I am comparing him to other Presidents of the past. So read carefully next time before jumping down my throat.
And are these anit-gay leaders by any chance people of religious faith? Because Rev. Wright supported gay ministry.
I don’t know what you want. You say that Obama’s support for gay’s is weak. Yet the only comparison you have for me is that Hillary once walked at a Gay Pride Parade? How is that not just as superficial and cosmetic?
Once again. I am comparing him to other PRESIDENT-ELECTS.
This issue is really been blown up. Would you have rather had McCain/Palin? Only the radical Left-Wing is making this all about them. When if anything this Inauguration is about Obama, America and a proud moment for those of color.
Oh my God.
This issue isn’t even a big deal. Stop making this all about the Gays. This is about AMERICA! Obama isn’t the messiah. He’s not here to make Gays happy 24/7 Its about fixing this economy and making America better overall. I can’t believe some people are getting so worked up for something that isn’t a big deal. Ever inuaguration has a Pastor/Priest. How is this any different??? Quit bitching. I think this is just fringe groups of people. The vast majority are happy so far with Obama but some people love to whine and complain for attention. GET OVER YOURSELVES
By the way #61 Groundcontrol.
I am on the LEFT as well. But I know (as other Democrats do) of how worked up and pissed off the far-left can get. It took African Americans 200 years to get anything close to inclusion and freedom - and they are STILL fighting.
Most Gays came out during the sexual Revolution in the 1960s and chose to make yourselves relevant than. Its been 40 years and we have come far. But don’t expect there to be a quick fix to this. The majority of Americans still think marriage should be between a man and woman. Its the truth and this is what Obama has to work with.
I don’t know why some Gays are so surprised. He has always said he will be the President of the “people” but he has so far been very pro-Gay compared to other Presidents. Can’t you at least wait for him to get into office and make policy decisions before losing your head? Or is the chance to get all worked-up and “ra ra ra” too delicious to pass up?
This loser is Scottish, which is part of Great Britain which passed civil unions for gays not marriage so if he feels the need to speak out about the poor mistreated gays he should start in his own country and then proceed to most of Europe who have’t passed civil unions or gay marriage laws.
Seriously, who’s the biggot now? You dumb prick.
white gay men - as long as in the closet - would have sat in the front of the bus in the sixties. no questions asked. blacks could not “hide” that way. THAT is the big difference. get a grip. what preacher would he have chosen would have been pro-gay rights? most aren’t so maybe this is not the place to discuss your gay rights issue. obama is very inclusive and will continue to do so. relax and fight where the fight is needed.
Go inform yourself about the bible. There is nothing holy about it nor the atrocites committed by ‘christians.’ Go educate yourself, please. The bible allows catholic priests to get away with their molestation of children. The bible is a joke and has nothing to do with ‘god.’
I think Alan said it wonderfully and with eloquency. I am not opposed to speaking to and being involved with people who have such close-minded opinions, but I do believe that involving Warren in the inauguration sends the wrong message to the gay community and those, like me, who support them.
I don’t care how you put it…if one class of citizens has “rights” that others don’t…that’s just plain and simple discrimination…no matter how you state it, color it, describe it or want to classify it.
oh please he ask Rick Warren because no other dignified Reverends will do it. That is sad and scary he’s like the First President with no blessings from God.
First of all what is it that Gays want? Is it insurance?Adoption?Do Not Recessitate power? What exactly do you want that marriage offers. At no other time in history in no other culture on earth has marriage ever been between any human except men and women. And let’s just talk about the Bible. Which atrocities are you referring to that was committed by Biblical Christians? Christians were beheaded, fed to lions, pulled apart on stretch machines. . . awll for what they believed in. Homosexuality is abnormal. If it were something you were born with like black skin, then how can ppl like anne Heche and others leave that lifestyle and become heterosexual. A black person cannot leave their skin no more than a leopard can change his spots. Gays are ppl. They are human. They do not deserved to be killed by homophobic ppl. Jesus came to save everyone that OBEYS God’s Will to the best that they can-the Bible says we have all sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. However, you cannot be a true Christian and make a habit of practicing sin as defined in the bible. The Bible says that there were some who were once homosexual and they became Christians. Each case of homosexuality the Bible refers to was condemned as a sin and an abomination in God’s eyes. So America’s constitution is a different document. the Constitution may allow for some things that the Bible does not. Let’s not mix the 2. I will vote against Gay marriage until my dying breath. Marriage is an institution created by God between a man and woman. However, if a gay couple wants the same rights with reference to insurance, adoption. . THen I say give it to them. I am offended that Gays want to marry-Why desire to be a part of an institution that was not created for you?
Very well put Adam and Eve. Thank you.
#70 you are no Christian. Only an angry failed person would say that. Truth is- this Inauguration is going to be the most talked about and hottest Inauguration ever! People are already selling tickets for $50,000 and people are buying! That’s nuts.
Alan Cummings is so far-off its insulting.
How about he focuses on his own country which DOES NOT support Gay marriage and stop comparing the black struggle to Gay marriage. That’s ridiculous!
I am a follower of Jesus Christ, I believe that marriage is the union between one man and one woman. I believe that it is an institution designed by the God of all things to complement a certain design and order in nature biologically speaking, and psycho-socially speaking.
I know a few people from other faiths who hold this to be true as well, and quite a few non-christians, agnostics, and at least one atheist (my dad) who, while not believing in a divinely ordained design and order in nature, believes in a natural order which in society may play out in marriage - one woman to one man.
In various cultures at various times imperfect human beings have made a travesty of marriage (as they have and will continue to do with any number of things)whether to engage women as pawns in revenge plots or power plays, advance power, gain wealth, or as a means to have children, not with any desire to love and nurture future generations, but to perpetuate personal or clan power. Nevertheless in all cultures at least some of the time men and women have committed themselves to each other in marriage after the design of the institution to companion each other, complement each other in the work and joys of living, and to nurture, love, and raise up children, and perhaps to demonstrate something inherently differentiated (male and female) yet unified about the divine in a tangible and observable sphere - the family experience.
Therefore in every culture under the sun in times past and present government and law has recognized this institution and set about a framework for how it is to be understood, respected, and administered within the culture.
I would never want any partner in a gay couple to not be able to leave or transfer property to their partner as they desire, make medical decisions for each other as they desire. Nor would I want anyone to be denied insurance coverage should one partner desire to have benefits extended to the other, or any of that. I believe homosexuality is deviant yet some will seek this type of sex and intimate relationship in their life and that they choose do so should in no way alter how I view their humanity.
I see no conflict at all between this and not supporting gay marriage. And my stance is that I do not support marriage for gays. I believe it is a perverse redefinition of what marriage really is. Furthermore I am not a hater for having this position. If you are gay why can’t I risk my life for you? If you were hungry and did not have to eat, why could I not deny myself so that you could eat? If you did not have shelter and needed a place to stay why would my doors not open for you? If you were lonely and needed a friend would I not count it an honor to be there for you as I would desire companionship myself? I do not have to be in agreement with you on marriage or anything else to like you or even to love you.
Now we do not live in a theocracy, we do live in a pluralistic democracy. And as such I do not believe that I have the right to deny anyone as a fellow citizen any of the rights of citizenship but nor do I believe that anyone has the right to redefine marriage. We know of no human being who ever sat down one day and decided to conjure up a thing called marriage or whatever word is used for it in the multitude of languages spoken by human beings. But men and women among all peoples have simultaneously and without knowledge of their couterparts marriage rites or practises in other parts of the world, entered that institution - man and woman (and sometimes unfortunately, man and women).
I do not believe that someone who is gay is in an ethnically or gentically or biologically differentiated goup of human beings in nature as someone is berber, or hamidic for example, any more than a person who engages in heterosexual sex and relationships is a special group in the same sense. We are not born homosexual anymore than we are born heterosexual. We are each born with the capability to experience and stimulate a sexual response, and of course a need to love and be loved in intimate relationships. But nature has crafted the sexual biological outfit of men and women to be interdependent complementing and balancing each other with the unique characteristics inherent in female and male, and allowing for them to reproduce and nurture children. So it is illogical to me and unreasonable to argue that I as a black person, and a woman at that, I should somehow instinctively support marriage for gay people. Why is marriage being turned over into something it is not?
Mr. Obama recognizes that Mr. Warren has profound faith, love, and the courage of his convictions even though they do not always agree on how these should play out in our society. He also recognizes that Mr. Warren is a man of influence and action whose leadership has already netted results on fighting disease, stewarding the environment, and ending poverty. His prayer will bless and benefit all of us!
…wow,this guy…..this guy (Alan Cumming) ….ha ha ha ha…..im just going to follow the example from the rabbit in bambi cuz: “if you don’t have anything nice to say,just dont say anything at all” OBVIOUSLY he needs to see some bambi…bigtime
It surprises me that some obama ex-supporters after hearing about obama choosing rick to do a one time short little prayer are completely turning their backs on him.its like never talking to your dad again because he forgot to pick you up from practice ,but it really speaks for itself the statement…
F.Y.I ,theres two mimi’s with two very different opinions,(#76-78)
I participated in a civil union with my boyfriend and I am a heterosexual. I define my civil union as being married to my husband. I have all the same rights as any other marriage that was performed by a priest or pastor. Except that it was not considered blessed by a god. The majority of people in the United States are christians who believe that marriage is defined by a man and woman joining together in life. State and any church in the united states are supposed to be separate institutions. Start trying to change the civil union with the govt. which will work alot faster than trying to change churches who have had the same beliefs regarding marriage for thousands of years. It’ll be alot quicker. By the way the racial injustices in this country can not ever be compared to the gay culture. Who you have sex with and not being able to vote or drink from the same fountain as a person of a different color skin is not the same nor will it ever be.
To all of you who think that the LGBT movement is not the same as the racial civil rights movement…maybe you should take some time to look at even just very recent history like Matthew Shephard or Teena Brandon, murdered just because of their LGBT identity. Or the Great Pink Scare in the 1960’s where students and professors even ACCUSED of being gay were expelled or fired from colleges and universities. As long as we keep a blind eye to the fact that this is the same battle we’ve been raging against discrimination based on race, class, and gender, we’ll be nothing more than an ignorant society with a tokenized and tokenizing president.
It’s pretty amusing to an Aussie how you Americans are all up in arms over this Rick Warren fellow using his right to free speech to be a homophobe, then in the next breath you get mad if you can’t speak your own minds on this forum. You can’t have it both ways, either accept this Warren dude has a right to free speech hatred, accept gays have a right to dislike the guy out loud and accept that Obama has the right to have whoever he wants at his ceremony or you don’t have free speech at all. Really, free speech is an excuse to say nasty things to each other, you don’t need it to be nice.
jesus chirst… i think its time for a certain group of people to go to the back of the bus again.
Bonzo,
Can you explain which special rights you’re referring to? Which ones that straight people don’t already have?
Thanks.
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