US Columnist: Gay rights have ‘hijacked the civil rights movement’ and ‘destroy black communities’

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A US columnist has written about her opposition to the withdrawal of a performance of an “ex-gay” gospel singer at a Martin Luther King memorial last weekend to claim that he did so “as result of pressure from homosexual activists”.

At the request of Washington DC Mayor Vincent Gray, an “ex-gay” gospel singer withdrew from his performance at the memorial. He previously said he was “transformed by the blood of Jesus’ and was ready for a wife.

Mr McClurkin is notorious for his statements claiming religion rescued him from homosexuality. In 2007, the singer came under similar controversy when he was scheduled as Barack Obama’s promotional artist in his bid for presidency.

Star Parker writes for WorldNetDaily, a conservative website notorious for featuring anti-gay views, that “homosexuals have hijacked the civil-rights movement” and “have interjected the very values that are destroying black communities,” such as “the escalation of crime and disease – much tied to irresponsible sexual behavior,” reports Right Wing Watch.

“The civil-rights movement was a Christian movement. It is high time that the black pastor, rather than the black politician, return to leadership in black American life. It is time for the Bible, rather than political answers, to define black life,” she continues.

Parker, the president of CURE, the Center for Urban Renewal and Education, writes calling on black Americans to “take back our movement.” She cited a poll saying that 55% of black people said they disagreed that gay rights are comparable to the rights of African Americans.

She continues: “Rebuild black families by restoring the centrality of traditional Christian values to black life. Only support politicians who sign onto this agenda. And give black parents the choice to get their kids out of public schools and send them to church schools.”

“The purging of Grammy Award winner Donnie McClurkin from performing at a concert commemorating the 50th anniversary of the 1963 civil-rights March on Washington and Dr Martin Luther King Jr’s ‘I Have a Dream’ speech should serve as yet another wake-up call to Christian black Americans.

“McClurkin, a black pastor and gospel music superstar, was asked to step down from his featured performance by Washington Mayor Vincent Gray as result of pressure from homosexual activists. McClurkin preaches against the homosexual lifestyle from his pulpit and says he himself departed and was saved from this lifestyle through God’s mercy.”

In 2008, gospel singer Mr McClurkin wrote in Barbados’ largest newspaper The Nation: “In homosexuality, there’s always someone to abuse you. My lust for man and lust for God was pulling me one way and tearing me apart.”

In January, an all-male African American college, whose graduates include Martin Luther King, launched its first LGBT course.

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