Donnie McClurkin Removed From MLK Concert Over 'Ex-Gay' Claims
Source: ABC7News/WJLA
WASHINGTON (WJLA) - Donnie McClurkin, a gospel singer who says God delivered him from being gay, is firing back at Washington Mayor Vincent Gray and other officials after he says he was removed from headlining a concert at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial.
A Grammy winner and pastor, McClurkin was scheduled to perform at the concert Saturday evening to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington.
Several gay rights activists objected to his participation ahead of the event.
Doxie McCoy, a spokeswoman for Mayor Vincent Gray, says McClurkin decided to not perform because the purpose of the event was to bring people together.
Read more: http://www.wjla.com/articles/2013/08/donnie-mcclurkin-removed-from-mlk-concert-over-ex-gay-claims-92611.html#ixzz2bhnwi4m0
hrmjustin
(71,265 posts)alp227
(32,052 posts)You see, the 1963 March on Washington was coordinated and successfully accomplished by Bayard Rustin, an openly gay African-American who was an integral part of the African-American civil rights movement. Rustin also mentored Dr. King on nonviolent resistance.
Rustin had to serve in the background because of the homophobia of the times not only from the white community, but also the African-American community. Several prominent civil rights leaders did not want him involved and one, Congressman Adam Clayton Powell, was going to start a rumor that he and Dr. King were lovers.
So Rustin never got his due for what he did in the Civil Rights Movement. Now I ask you, does it make sense to honor the 50th anniversary of a march whose coordinator was shoved in the background due to homophobia by inviting someone as a headliner who is committing the same offense against gays in the present?
Absolutely not.
The irony of it all would most likely escape McClurkin. Instead of trying to create an aura of victimhood for himself, perhaps he should think about those whom his rhetoric victimized.
Had today's technology been around back then, I doubt Rustin would have exploited it to address the attacks on his sexual orientation. I somehow don't see Rustin posting videos of himself complaining about how he was treated. Rustin didn't care about such things. He only cared about the cause of social justice.
antigone382
(3,682 posts)Amazing the things one can learn on DU.
LiberalFighter
(51,084 posts)To be openly gay back then is really unheard of.
WorseBeforeBetter
(11,441 posts)McClurkin, that is.
Fuddnik
(8,846 posts)QuestForSense
(653 posts)hrmjustin
(71,265 posts)MADem
(135,425 posts)Oh, and God wasn't the one who delivered it, either.
He's responsible for that hate-filled shit all by himself.
And he probably "decided to not perform" because he doesn't like the feel of rotten fruit upside his head. That, and the fact that the event planners said "You're un-invited, you hater!"
sakabatou
(42,174 posts)Vanje
(9,766 posts)Props!
idwiyo
(5,113 posts)Dawson Leery
(19,348 posts)ConcernedCanuk
(13,509 posts).
.
.
There are many species that have sex with the same sex.
so it ain't "unnatural" - not by a long shot.
We made "rules", - sorry folks,
momma nature don't read.
She just "is".
CC
Liberal_Stalwart71
(20,450 posts)this weekend. Go Mayor Gray!!