Tell President-Elect Obama:
 Choosing Rev. Rick Warren sends the wrong message   

Anti-gay clergy person Rev. Rick Warren has been selected to have the privilege of giving the invocation at the inauguration. Members of the LGBT and allied community must convey to the President-elect, and Congress, that giving persons who oppose basic civil rights for LGBT Americans positions of honor undermine the values we seek to foster as a nation.

The selection of Rev. Rick Warren casts serious doubt as to whether President-elect Barack Obama fully understands the needs of the LGBT community. The President-elect's justifications for the selection have been both disrespectful and contrary to the values that he campaigned on. As we continue to look to the President-elect with great hope, we must make him understand our disappointment with his actions so that we can move forward and work together to advance the cause of civil rights in America.    

Representative Barney Frank Sums up the situation well:

       “I am very disappointed by President-elect Barack Obama’s decision to honor Reverend Rick Warren with a prominent role in his inauguration.  Religious leaders obviously have every right to speak out in opposition to anti-discrimination measures, even in the degrading terms that Rev. Warren has used with regard to same-sex marriage.  But that does not confer upon them the right to a place of honor in the inauguration ceremony of a president whose stated commitment to LGBT rights won him the strong support of the great majority of those who support that cause.

       “. . . .  The selection of a member of the clergy to occupy this uniquely elevated position has always been considered a mark of respect and approval by those who are being inaugurated.”

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

I join with Equal Rights Washington in expressing my deep disappointment on the selection of Rev. Rick Warren to give the invocation at your inauguration. This selection does violence to the vision of change and respect for humanity that were the cornerstones of your campaign.

Please do not hide behind the language of inclusiveness to justify your selection of a man who opposes basic civil rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans. The person who gives the invocation is seen as the President's moral compass. In choosing Rick Warren, you are sending two unacceptable messages. First, you are suggesting that government need not demonstrate any sensitivity to the LGBT citizens of America, their family members and friends. Second, you are signaling all America that there is no price to pay for espousing opposition to basic human rights for gay individuals and families. It is hard to imagine sending worse messages at your inauguration.

We ask you to quickly and decisively work to mitigate the harm you have done. This should be done in word and action. Please consider making sure that a member of the LGBT community has a public role in your inauguration ceremony. Now, more than ever before, you should appoint qualified openly LGBT individuals to senior positions.

Please do not humiliate and insult LGBT people and their allies by seeking to justify your actions as anything but a failure to understand the depth of harm you have done to the cause of equality.

I hope that this unfortunate situation will serve to increase communication between your administration and the LGBT and allied community. I hope in the future your actions will reflect a real commitment to the values you promised would guide your administration.

I look forward to supporting you as we work together to: end Don't Ask Don't Tell; pass an Employment Nondiscrimination Act that includes gender identity; pass a hate crimes prevention act that includes sexual orientation and gender identity; and ensure that the federal benefits and protections available to legally married heterosexual couples are available to same-sex couples who are legally married, have civil unions, or domestic partnerships.

Signed by:

Campaign Launched:
December 18, 2008