No Obama Inaugural For Me -- Invites Homophobic Prop 8 Supporter Rick Warren to Participate

Funny, this is just about the time in the first Clinton go round that we started hearing that he was backing down on the gays in the military issue.

Warren's also anti-abortion, anti-birth control and anti-stem cell research.

National Gay and Lesbian Task Force's Rea Carey:

"President-elect Obama campaigned on a theme of inclusivity, yet the selection of Rick Warren to give the invocation is a direct affront to that very principle. This was a divisive choice, and clearly not one that will help our country come together and heal. We urge President-elect Obama to withdraw his invitation to Rick Warren and instead select a faith leader who embraces fairness, equality and the ideals the president-elect himself has called the nation to uphold."

We better get some sort of response soon or there are gonna be some Californians making an appearance outside the inaugural. That's not a good way to start with us, Mr. President-elect.

What the fuck are they thinking in Chicago?

I think it's time for the President-elect to hear from you at Change.gov. He's already heard from me.

More from Scott Swenson at RHRealityCheck.org:

My soul is no more or less a part of God's plan because I am gay than Rick Warren's is. A woman who has an abortion has no less or more free will than Rick Warren in God's eyes.  Rick Warren should pray, on January 20, that our government will use the brains God gave us to put together smart, proven public health strategies to combat HIV/AIDS and put an end to ideological waste, fraud and abuse as we've seen in abstinence-only programs. He should pray that fewer women die in childbirth because with compassion we've used modern medical science to reduce maternal mortality and made good reproductive health options available to the women of the world. He should pray for compassion for the sick and needy and a government that will see health care as a right, not a privilege. He should pray for more common ground to be sought to help people of all ages better understand sexuality and reproductive health, so that people are making wise choices for their families and their lives. Lastly he should pray for peace -- in the form of respect for the rich diversity of life and the many expressions of love and family -- and he should lead conservatives to re-evaluate how they "love thy neighbor" without judgment.

The President-elect could have done so much to elevate voices of faith that are less well known and already embrace all God's children without reservation or stigma. Too often the media and politicians only highlight voices of faith on the right.  I'm not suggesting that Obama should choose someone from the left, furthering the division, but he could have picked someone less political altogether.

Scott's idea that this is a healing effort of the part of Obama toward the Evangelical community just doesn't wash with me. It feels once again like a Democrat is triangulating me right out of the process.

Comments

[Liz]

1.

I was shocked when I heard this yesterday.
They are not thinking at all - that is just one of the problems. I am beyond disappointed. I really thought he would make a better choice, like Rev. Bernice King (MLK's daughter) as a symbol. But, I was wrong.
I have sent my comments.