Obama's Pick for Benediction Overshadowed by Warren

To: Proud Progressive, I wrote the comment below yours, (Hugh from Dallas). Though I am a Christian I have to say that I agree with your comments 100%. The president is charged by law to uphold the Constitution, not the Bible. May I offer that arguing our position as progressives and gays and lesbians from a Biblical platform can be very effective against our detractors who do the same. They pick and choose parts of the Bible to make their case. We can do the same. Then with the 14th Amendment on our side, we win the tie!!!

I agree with all of the strong reaction to Obama's pick of an anti-gay person to be part of the inaugural. However, the larger issue is that the inaugural - a civil ceremony - is being infringed upon by religion. Neither Pastor Warren nor Reverend Lowery are appropriate participants. This is the inauguration of the President of the United States. It is being done in accordance with the U.S. Constitution. Religion and religious leaders have no place in the ceremony. For his oath of office, President-elect Obama should place his hand on the constitution. He is swearing to uphold the constitution. I don't trust anyone in public office who puts a religious text, especially a text that's full of lies, misogyny, and destructive fantasy above our common constitution. We are a civil government, not a theocracy. Let's grow up, America. We're 232 years old. It's well past time to leave behind the religious contamination of our government.

I am a little shocked by some of the comments here defending President Elect Obama and minimizing the effrontery of his choice of Rick Warren to lead the invocation at this upcoming, and historic, inaugural. It would be one thing if Rick Warren was your run of the mill anti gay evangelical who argues that "we can't allow gays to 'redefine' marriage." He goes much further saying that gays, and gay marriage, are equivalent to pedophilia, incest, and polygamy. That is vile bigotry and it flows from Rick Warren's mouth like waste from a sewer. This "man of Christ" compares my 17 year, monogamous, relationship with my partner to that of a pedophile and a victim. This is a cruel political calculation by two whores, Rick Warren and Barack Obama, at the expense of our gay children and citizens. I say this as a former Obama supporter who gave a lot of money and time to see him elected. I wish I could get every penny and every minute of that back.

We, as a community need to keep a close eye for the next few years not only on President Obama, but all the others that we supported and voted for. I feel like it is time for them to put up or shut up. If you are not satisfied that they represented you and your interests and maybe stuck their necks out a bit for the gay community, DONT VOTE FOR THEIR RE-ELECTION. I think that its highly possible that I will not vote in some contests next time. If exit polls say that gays and lesbians are showing up at the polls, but not voting for anyone rather than support the assumed liberal candidate, then that will shake some cages. I think that it is time for politicians to EARN our vote with something more than words.

Believe me, Rev. Joseph Lowery does NOT support marriage equality! Somebody please research his statements on this issue. He ain't Rick Warren, but ain't that much better.

I'm not ready to throw Obama to the wolves just yet, but I do feel he has slapped us in the face with his choice of Rick Warren. Was he simply clueless as to how offensive the Warren choice would be to the GLBT community that worked so hard to elect him? If so, that's a horrible sign of things to come for us. Is there anyone in his "inner circle" who can and WILL inform him of our unhappiness?

When I read the comments I understand why the gay community will never move forward. What concrete things has Obama done for the gay community? He needed our money. Everyone jumped on board. The selection of Rick Warren delivering the opening prayer for the world's eyes gives approval to his disdain for the gay lifestyle. Is everyone really ok with this? Does everyone think that the homophobic majority is going to suddenly change? Why do we always wait to react? We need to stop spending money and demand that businesses send in writing their support for equal rights for gays. This is the only thing that will make a difference for the entire community. Don't buy cars! Don't eat out! Don't buy clothes! Some businesses will suffer or go out of business. Do you want the same thing to be going on for decades to come.

When I read the comments I understand why the gay community will never move forward. What concrete things has Obama done for the gay community? He needed our money. Everyone jumped on board. The selection of Rick Warren delivering the opening prayer for the world's eyes gives approval to his disdain for the gay lifestyle. Is everyone really ok with this? Does everyone think that the homophobic majority is going to suddenly change? Why do we always wait to react? We need to stop spending money and demand that businesses send in writing their support for equal rights for gays. This is the only thing that will make a difference for the entire community. Don't buy cars! Don't eat out! Don't buy clothes! Some businesses will suffer or go out of business. Do you want the same thing to be going on for decades to come.

I am one angry gay person! Obama won't appoint a transgendered Defense Secretary. Obama won't offer monetary reparations to all LGBTQ people. Obama turns down all my offers to sleep with him, and I'm pretty darn cute. What an anti-gay bigot Obama is! I'll just have to vote for Sarah Palin next time.

I absolutely love you Advocate for pointing out the overshadowness of Rev. Lowery to give the benediction. I think a lot of people need to calm down and truly get overthemselves. HRC do not represent all LGBTQI people. They do not represent me. I'm still proud of Obama for keeping his word when he did in fact said ALL. NOT ONLY GAY PEOPLE. So some of you complaining and whining and bitching please be quiet and sit down. You have nothing positive to say about progressive moment and change. Stop being the center of attention all the time. There will be people out there who HATE YOU! So get over it. Focus all that energy towards people who are ON YOUR SIDE like Rev. Joseph Lowery. BE BLESSED EVERDAY.