WASHINGTON — A gospel singer who says God delivered him from “the curse” of homosexuality, was removed from a concert lineup at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial after a request from Washington’s mayor.
Singer Donnie McClurkin was scheduled to perform at the concert Saturday evening to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington, but several gay rights activities objected to his participation ahead of the event, reported The Washington Post.
“The commission on human rights and Donnie McClurkin’s management decided that it would be best for him to withdraw because the purpose of the event is to bring people together,” said Gray’s spokeswoman, Doxie McCoy. “Mayor Gray said the purpose of the event is to promote peace and harmony. That is what King was all about.”
But in a video statement, McClurkin says he was “asked not to attend” and was uninvited from the concert.
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McClurkin says there should be freedom of speech “as long as it’s done in love.”
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“I’ve been through this and have experienced God’s power to change my lifestyle,” he wrote. “I am delivered and I know God can deliver others, too.”
