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Despite Warren, Calif. Gays Celebrate Obama

Gathering at West Hollywood gay bar hiss at controversial pastor's invocation

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 20, 2009 5:27 PM CST
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(Newser) – A crowd gathered today at West Hollywood’s premier gay bar to celebrate Barack Obama’s inauguration, but also to watch with dismay as Rev. Rick Warren took the Capitol stage, the Advocate reports. Many in the community were shocked by Obama’s choice of the anti-gay marriage pastor to deliver the invocation—and many hissed or left the room during Warren’s invocation.

Obama styled the choice of Warren as reaching across the aisle, but the gay community felt betrayed by a candidate who had loudly proclaimed his anti-LBGT credentials. The bar filled with boos during Warren’s speech, particularly when the Proposition 8 supporter spoke of a “commitment to freedom and justice for all.”


A bar.
A bar.   (Flickr)
Demonstrators protesting on behalf of gay rights outside of evangelical pastor Rick Warren's Saddleback Church.
Demonstrators protesting on behalf of gay rights outside of evangelical pastor Rick Warren's Saddleback Church.   (AP Photo)
Bishop V. Gene Robinson, of New Hampshire, the Episcopal church's first openly-gay bishop.
Bishop V. Gene Robinson, of New Hampshire, the Episcopal church's first openly-gay bishop.   (AP Photo)
The Rev. Rick Warren gives the invocation as President-elect Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, left, bow their heads during swearing-in ceremonies.
The Rev. Rick Warren gives the invocation as President-elect Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, left, bow their heads during swearing-in ceremonies.   (AP Photo)
Protesters outside Ebenzer Baptist Church in Atlanta, where Warren was speaking.
Protesters outside Ebenzer Baptist Church in Atlanta, where Warren was speaking.   (AP Photo)
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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
MarkFL
Jan 20, 2009 9:47 PM CST
Yes, Rick Warren is a duchebag. I hope that people can start to realize how ridiculous it is to have an invocation at all. It is clearly divisive. It has nothing to do with our secular government. Prayers don't work because there is no god. In addition, religion foments hatred and ill will through self-righteousness and a total lack of logic or empathy. I hope Americans can begin to see what a farce it is to believe in the first place and what an unnecessary and dangerous exercise it is to entangle our government with religious affairs. Religion of the type that Rick Warren practices is nothing more than a simple way to justify personal prejudice. Surely this will come to an end soon. Nothing will do more for the improvement of this world than the end of religious faith. If you disagree, try praying to see if that helps!
mayverisian
Jan 20, 2009 8:41 PM CST
He mentions "commitment to freedom and justice for all"? Yet he clearly does not want equal rights for all. There is no justice as long as there is still discrimination against anyone or any group.

 
Barack Obama • Hollywood • LGBT • Rick Warren • gays • Proposition 8 • President Obama • Inauguration Day • gay bar

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