Boston GospelFest's big star: "ex-gay" McClurkin

City of Boston draws fire over homophobic headliner.

The City of Boston is drawing criticism after the announcement that the headliner of this year's Boston GospelFest is none other than singer, radio host, author, and "ex-gay" Pastor Donnie McClurkin.

McClurkin, who claims to have been saved from the "curse" of homosexuality and regularly gives homophobic sermons, is perhaps best known for his involvement with Barack Obama's bid for President of the United States. During the 2007 primary season, the future president appeared with McClurkin at several venues in South Carolina. Following public outcry from the LGBT community, McClurkin was hastily removed from the campaign's performance roster.

According to Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino's Office of Arts, Tourism, and Special Events, organizers of GospelFest had no knowledge of McClurkin's homophobic history. Menino spokeswoman Dot Joyce told the Boston Phoenix that she wasn't familiar with McClurkin or the GospelFest lineup.

"[Boston's] mayor is pro-gay and pro-same-sex marriage," Bay Windows columnist Irene Monroe told the Phoenix. McClurkin, she said, appeals to "the black Christian conservative community -- which is a strong voting constituency."

McClurkin attributes his homosexual attractions and desires to having been raped by male relatives at the ages of 8 and 13. "The abnormal use of my sexuality continued until I came to realize that I was broken and that homosexuality was not God's intention...for my masculinity," the Grammy winner wrote in his 2001 memoir Eternal Victim/Eternal Victor.

The Nation, a Barbados newspaper, reported that during a 2008 concert in the country, McClurkin told the audience that "[i]n homosexuality, there's always someone to abuse you." The singer went on to compare gay men and lesbians to "drug leaders, prostitutes, [and] gang members," telling the crowd that he considered himself a sincere, compassionate man ready for heterosexual marriage.

Just because he doesn't act on homosexual urges, however, does not mean he doesn't experience them. In response to a question about whether or not he considers himself "cured," McClurkin (who is a diabetic) told Pearl's Window blogger Carrington Lei, "I don't eat sugar, but that that doesn't mean I don't want sugar."

After well-known Grammy nominated gospel singer Tonex came out as gay last fall, McClurken spoke out at a religious convention in Memphis, calling homosexuality a "perversion" and the result of "failed" parenting. Monroe told the Phoenix that a taxpayer-funded event is no place for McClurken's message. "Our mayor and city hall represent all of its residents, not just Christian conservatives," she said. "It's fine to have a gospel singer, but given his history, it's a denunciation of inclusion."

The mayor's office is currently investigating options regarding the impact of McClurkin's appearance and will be making an announcement soon regarding the official GospelFest lineup.

The event will take place on July 18 at City Hall Plaza.