D.C. Mayor axes gospel singer from MLK memorial concert because he is an ‘ex-gay’
WASHINGTON, D.C. , – D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray admitted Monday that he made the final decision to remove gospel singer Donnie McClurkin from the lineup of performers at a city-sponsored concert held Saturday at the Martin Luther King memorial in respond to complaints by gay activists . McClurkin was to have been a headline performer at the event , called “Reflections on Peace: Ghandi to King,” which marked the beginning of a planned series of events to commemorate King’s life during the run-up to the 50 th anniversary of the civil rights leader’s “ I Have a Dream ” speech. But on Friday, several homosexual activists contacted the mayor’s office to complain about McClurkin’s inclusion in the show because the gospel singer is a vocal ex-gay who believes homosexuality is a “curse” which can be overcome through prayer and determination. They threatened to protest the event if he was allowed to perform. Soon after, it was announced that McClurkin would no longer be part of th