“Obama’ “Olive Branch’ To Evangelicals Feels Like Poison Ivy To The Gay Community, Says TWO
NEW YORK — Truth Wins Out expressed extreme dismay today over Barack Obama’ selection of notorious televangelist Rick Warren to deliver the invocation at the historic inaugural swearing-in ceremony. At this event, Warren will hold a Bible that he recently used to justify discrimination against gay and lesbian couples in California, where he was an outspoken supporter of Proposition 8.
“Choosing Rick Warren to deliver the invocation may be an olive branch to evangelicals who largely opposed the election of Barack Obama, but it is poison ivy to the gay and lesbian voting block who overwhelmingly supported him,” said Wayne Besen, Executive Director of Truth Wins Out. “Far from an act that will unify, this is a stick in the eye to lesbian and gay Americans who played a key part in Obama’ victory. For all of Obama’ political gifts, he has an odious track record in picking preachers.”
Warren, pastor of Saddleback Church, supports “ex-gay” programs and threw his support behind Proposition 8, saying, “If you believe what the bible says about marriage, you need to support Proposition 8.” He has compared loving same-sex couples marrying to incest and child abuse.
“I’m opposed to having a brother and sister get together and call that marriage,” said Warren. “I’m opposed to an older guy marrying a child and calling that a marriage. I’m opposed to having one guy having multiple wives and calling that marriage.”
“Rick Warren has masqueraded as a moderate, when he is really just a folksy, focus-group tested clone of Jerry Falwell on gay issues,” said Besen. “It is time people rip off the faux- mask of moderation and understand that Warren is a phony and an extremist. It is unconscionable that Obama used the stature of his office to further elevate this anti-gay charlatan. What Obama did was truly insensitive and I hope this move is not a harbinger of what we can expect from his administration.”
Truth Wins Out is a non-profit organization that counters right wing propaganda, exposes the “ex-gay” myth and educates America about gay life.
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