The Phoenix is reporting that notorious ex-gay activist and homophobe the Rev. Donnie McClurkin is headlining the City of Boston’s “GospelFest,” scheduled for Sunday, July 18 at City Hall Plaza. Here’s the link: http://thephoenix.com/Boston/n… How can this be happening after the controversy McClurkin touched off when he appeared at an Obama campaign event in South Carolina in 2008? The move significantly cost Obama in the LGBT community. The Rev. Irene Monroe is calling on the LGBT community and our allies to come out and boo if the City doesn’t find a way to ease the bigoted Rev. McClurkin off the stage. The Anti-Violence Project of Massachusetts is already endorsing Monroe’s call.
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How about a compromise where McClurkin agrees not to preach about homosexuality at this concert, and everyone else that doesn’t like McClurkin agrees to stay away from the concert?
McClurkin’s past incredibly offensive comments should disqualify him from this city-sponsored event, IMHO. I’m sure there are lots of people who like gospel music but who will stay away because of McClurkin, and that’s not fair.
…this is not officially sponsored by the city, being a religious event. As such wouldn’t the city’s role be only in issuing a permit, which even the KKK could get for a rally?
The application for people who want to participate makes it quite clear that this a city-sponsored, city-organized event.
(Also, I got “file not found” when clicking on the application link you provided.)
They are considered “entertainment”, and the City has sponsored them for years.
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p>Your link problem probably resulted from the City’s web page being down (at least since yesterday morning).
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p>Religious message notwithstanding, there are no constitutional issues involved in government-sponsored gospel concerts.