In February 2008 during the democratic primary, in response to criticism that he was more about words than substance, Barack Obama gave a speech in which he extolled the power of words. In that speech, Obama recited the now famous line borrowed from Deval Patrick, “Don’t tell me words don’t matter.” Obama was correct, words do matter. In fact, words can be very powerful. Given his understanding of how much words matter, it is difficult to comprehend how Obama selected Rick Warren, the pastor of the Saddleback Church, to give the invocation at the inauguration. Rick Warren was a strong supporter of Prop 8 in California and recently said that in his view the relationships of gays and lesbians are equivalent to incest, pedophilia and polygamy.

Last night I listened to the debate regarding Obama’s choice of Warren. Obama supporters said that the choice was one of inclusiveness, spiritual bipartisanship and that there is room for everyone under the big tent. These are the same arguments they made last fall when Obama had the anti-gay, ex-gay gospel singer Donnie McClurkin emcee a large public fundraising event in South Carolina. Defending their inclusion of McClurkin, Obama’s camp stressed their vision of the big tent, “to join together, build on common ground, and engage in a civil dialogue even when we disagree.” McClurkin has vowed to battle “the curse of homosexuality.” Words.

The question then is this. If you invite the hater into the tent, what effect does it have on the hated? It is demoralizing and, frankly, infuriating. I read somewhere that the LGBT community’s continued support of the Democratic Party is tantamount to battered spouse syndrome. They give us just enough to stop us from leaving, but every once and a while they smack us down to remind us of our place. Well, I for one don’t want to be under that tent. The inclusion of a religious “leader” who believes that because of who I love I am an evil and dangerous sinner is not acceptable to me.

There is a difference between being open to differing opinions and being open to bigotry. I believe in free speech, even hate speech. However, just because it is legal does not mean that it is acceptable. I also believe in right and wrong. White supremacists and neo-Nazis have the legal right to spew whatever vile hatred they want, but should we provide them with a national platform? Should we invite them in to give a little talk at this year’s holiday party? How would our African American and Jewish friends feel about that, and why should we feel differently?

I am sure Obama does not believe that Warren will stand up there on inauguration day and give an anti-gay rant. But, that doesn’t really matter. By inviting him he has given Warren tacit acceptance and approval. What message does it send – not only to the LGBT community, but also to the anti-LGBT community — to see Rick Warren on the steps of the Capital, on inauguration day, with the new President, the Supreme Court justices, the leadership of Congress? What will he do with that stature in the weeks and months that follow? What words will he use against the LGBT community in the battle for equal rights?

Don’t tell me words don’t matter. In the wrong hands words can be powerful and even dangerous weapons. Words of hate, words of bigotry, or words that incite violence matter greatly. Warren has acknowledged that there is little difference between his views and those of James Dobson. Dobson, founder of Focus on the Family, told a crowd of supporters of same-sex marriage bans, “Homosexuals are not monogamous. They want to destroy the institution of marriage. It will destroy marriage. It will destroy the earth.” Dobson has written that “[t]here is no issue today that is more significant to our culture than the defense of the family. Not even the war on terror eclipses it”. Words.

Rick Warren believes that marriage equality is equivalent to legalization of incest, pedophilia and polygamy: “I’m opposed to the redefinition of a 5,000-year definition of marriage. I’m opposed to having a brother and sister be together and call that marriage. I’m opposed to an older guy marrying a child and calling that a marriage. I’m opposed to one guy having multiple wives and calling that marriage.” When asked why we hear so much opposition from religious conservatives about gay marriage and not about divorce, Warren replied, “oh, we always love to talk about others’ sins more than ours.” Gays and lesbians are sinners, equivalent to pedophiles, who will destroy the earth. Words.

Don’t tell me words don’t matter. Mark Potok, of the Southern Poverty Law Center, has stated that this kind of language by religious institutions is not only hateful, but dangerous. “It is quite remarkable how they claim to hate the sin but love the sinner. That’s an absurd claim. We have reports that clearly show this kind of rhetoric paves the way to violence,” Potok said. “Without question, gay men and lesbians are the most attacked group — and the hate crimes toward them are more violent.” Offenders often say they are simply acting out the wishes of the larger community, Potok stated. So when Christian leaders spout anti-gay messages and preachers sermonize on the “moral intrinsic evil” of homosexuals, there is little doubt the language leads to violence, Potok added, “these leaders are acting in a sense as permission-givers for violence.” If those are the people President-elect Obama wants to include under his big tent, I believe the message to the LGBT community is clear. Enter at your own risk.

Let Obama know what you think about the selection of Rick Warren. His LGBT liaison is Parag Mehta, parag.mehta@ptt.gov

“Don’t Tell Me Words Don’t Matter” « Quasisuspectclass Blog.