Join The Impact MA

A group of about 20 LGBT activists from Join the Impact MA and other groups gathered on Boston City Hall Plaza with a few straight allies Sunday evening, July 18th, to peacefully protest the anti-gay public statements of “ex-gay” Donnie McClurkin, the lead act for the City’s annual Gospelfest concert. As the warm-up acts performed, activists took shelter from the high winds on the terrace of the John F Kennedy Federal Building to make signs. Careful attention was given to sign messaging, to focus like a laser on only one outspoken homophobe whose defamations of the LGBT community are notorious. Signs included messages reading, e.g. “Separate Church and Hate,” “Diversity is Our Strength,” “Stop Hurting Your Gay Children,” “Love Cannot Hate,” and “You Can’t Turn Gays Straight.” Protestors intended no disrespect to fans or disruption of what was for most a deeply religious experience.

Donnie McClurkin, as the headline act, didn’t appear on stage until approximately 7;20 PM. Shortly before he was introduced, activists marched from the staging area near the JFK Building and took up positions at the back of the crowd. Rainbow flags and signs were hoisted high over the heads of onlookers so as to be clearly visible from the stage as McClurkin came on and performed. Fact sheets were handed out to people who wanted to know why we were there.

The crowd was largely unfazed by the presence of the LGBT activists in the rear. A few unkind words were heard, but more common were positive conversations with attendees who sympathized with the protest. Some onlookers left the concert when McClurkin came on.

Protesters accomplished their goal of delivering a pointed message to McClurkin denouncing his hate and the hurt it causes, while avoiding interference with a festive occasion for Gospel music fans from across New England. McClurkin avoided any inflammatory statements from the stage.

Justin Holmes of the Mayor’s staff, who is openly gay, liaised with protestors on behalf of the city, and Boston Police officers were present, though not needed. There were no incidents.

Lead organizer Don Gorton explained the exigency that motivated the protest: “Donnie McClurkin offers himself as living proof of a lie—that gays can be turned straight. He promotes quack science like reparative therapy or attempts to ‘pray away the gay,’ so-called ‘transformational ministry.’ The American Psychiatric and Psychological Associations have denounced such attempts to turn gays straight as futile and warned that these quack treatments can be dangerous to mental health. Especially at risk are youth in fundamentalist households, who are suspected of being homosexual or who come out. Their parents may see and hear McClurkin’s untruths and decide to force a change when none is possible. The hate McClurkin spreads drives some people to suicide, and we want it stopped.”

Activists were pleased to be joined by straight ally the Rev. Leslie Sterling, priest-in-charge of St. Barts’ Episcopal Church in Cambridge. Ms. Sterling has been a staunch supporter of LGBT equality; her presence demonstrated that a sizeable number of Christians reject the hateful teachings of men like McClurkin. Gorton added that McClurkin’s fine singing performance demonstrated that he still has a gay sensibility underneath the mean-spirited presentation.