The Rick Warren Debacle

So how many LGBT folks feel like they were thrown under a bus this morning?

*Raises hand*

Like a good many folks in the blogosphere and at LGBT rights groups nationwide, it's pretty disheartening to see that Pastor Rick Warren has been selected to lead the Invocation at President-Elect Obama's inauguration on January 20.  Why is this a slap in the face to the gay community?  Well, instead of listening to me, listen to Rick Warren.  Here's what he had to say about the LGBT community and the issue of marriage equality this past year:

For 5,000 years, EVERY culture and EVERY religion -- not just Christianity -- has defined marriage as a contract between men and women. There is no reason to change the universal, historical definition of marriage to appease 2% of our population. This is one issue that both Democrats and Republicans can agree on. Both Barack Obama and John McCain have publicly opposed the redefinition of marriage to include so-called 'gay marriage.' Even some gay leaders, like Al Rantel of KABC oppose watering down the definition of marriage...Of course, my longtime opposition is well known. This is not a political issue, it is a moral issue that God has spoken clearly about. There is no doubt where we should stand on this issue...This will be a close contest, maybe even decided by a few thousand votes. I urge you to VOTE YES on Proposition 8 -- to preserve the biblical definition of marriage. Don't forget to vote!

Gay marriage is a moral issue that God has spoken clearly against?  That's just a damn lie, Rick Warren.  And your 2% figure is a lie, too, unless you put all of your trust into a document issued by the Family Research Report - a theological entity, NOT a scientific one.  Aren't evangelicals supposed to be against lying?

Equality California has launched an action alert to urge the Obama inauguration team to disinvite Rick Warren. I just took the action.

But now I'm wondering if I did the right thing.  Earlier this morning, I received a set of talking points from the Obama team addressing the controversy over Rick Warren and how this has enraged the LGBT community.  Here they are:

• This will be the most open, accessible, and inclusive Inauguration in American history.
• In keeping with the spirit of unity and common purpose this Inauguration will reflect, the President-elect and Vice President-elect have chosen some of the world’s most gifted artists and people with broad appeal to participate in the inaugural ceremonies.
• Pastor Rick Warren has a long history of activism on behalf of the disadvantaged and the downtrodden.  He’s devoted his life to performing good works for the poor and leads the evangelical movement in addressing the global HIV/AIDS crisis.  In fact, the President-elect recently addressed Rick Warren’s Saddleback Civil Forum on Global Health to salute Warren’s leadership in the struggle against HIV/AIDS and pledge his support to the effort in the years ahead.
• The President-elect disagrees with Pastor Warren on issues that affect the LGBT community.  They disagree on other issues as well.  But what’s important is that they agree on many issues vital to the pursuit of social justice, including poverty relief and moving toward a sustainable planet; and they share a commitment to renewing America’s promise by expanding opportunity at home and restoring our moral leadership abroad.
• As he’s said again and again, the President-elect is committed to bringing together all sides of the faith discussion in search of common ground. That’s the only way we’ll be able to unite this country with the resolve and common purpose necessary to solve the challenges we face.
• The Inauguration will also involve Reverend Joseph Lowery, who will be delivering the official benediction at the Inauguration.  Reverend Lowery is a giant of the civil rights movement who boasts a proudly progressive record on LGBT issues.  He has been a leader in the struggle for civil rights for all Americans, gay or straight.
• For the very first time, there will be a group representing the interests of LGBT Americans participating in the Inaugural Parade.

That third talking point is not worth it's weight in paper to me. Just because Rick Warren works on HIV/AIDS doesn't mean that it's OK to tolerate his anti-gay positions. That's actually an insulting talking point.

But do the other ones carry some weight? So here's a question for folks - is it fair to go after Obama for his selection of Rick Warren? Or is this the wrong battle to fight, given that Obama's inaugural ceremony will still have the biggest LGBT representation we've ever known. Seeking guidance from the blogosphere....