Inaugural consternation

Re “O.C. pastor to speak at Obama swearing-in,” Dec. 18

I grew up in a fundamentalist Christian church and school. I have known since I was a small child that I am a gay woman. It was never a choice. Imagine the shame I felt growing up in the church. It gave me years of hurt, pain and loneliness.

The selection of Rick Warren to speak at the inauguration is painful to me -- partly because my wife and I are one of the 18,000 couples wondering if our marriage will be deemed worthy by California.

But more important, I am deeply saddened for the children who will continue to feel the shame I felt as a child. I do not understand how the Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr.’s comments were met with denunciation and yet Warren’s are rewarded. Inclusiveness seems a poor argument to me.

I am sorely disappointed that some intolerant views seem acceptable to our president-elect.

Linda King

Long Beach

--

I am appalled and disturbed by the loud vocal uproar from the gay community about President-elect Barack Obama’s choice of Warren to deliver the invocation. Repeatedly, then-Sen. Obama stated during his campaign that we as a people should agree to disagree. Not to dismiss or alienate anyone because of differing or opposing views.

While there are those who do not agree with Obama’s choice of Warren, the invocation at the inauguration is not legislation.

Gays and lesbians might want to tread very lightly when speaking of boycotting Obama’s inauguration. They may once again face a ballot proposition to support their quest for same-sex marriage; many people may remember their behavior during this historic inauguration and choose to vote against it.

Yvonne Hefner

Los Angeles

--

Isn’t it funny that Obama has to defend his pick of a male, white, Protestant pastor by saying that he’s included for diversity?

As far as I know, being white, Protestant and favoring marriage between a man and a woman are all “majorities” in the United States. Since when does being in favor of traditional marriage put you in the “diversity” category?

I’ve heard people categorize Warren as an extremist on the subject. Can you be an extremist when you agree with the majority? I’m not advocating any position on marriage, but I think it’s funny how the people in the majority have to be included for diversity in some circles.

Mark Turner

Monrovia

--

This is what I don’t understand: If the inauguration of a new president is a state (or political or civil) ceremony, why is any pastor (or priest or minister or reverend) at the ceremony?

If we are to separate church and state, let’s start right at the beginning. No Billy Graham, no Rick Warren, no representative of any faith whatsoever.

Carolyn Hiller

Beverly Hills

--

The day before the presidential election, I received a phone call with Obama’s voice stating that he believed marriage should be only between a man and a woman, though throughout his campaign he promoted equality with sterling rhetoric. There were heroic efforts by gays and lesbians to elect him. And he now selects Proposition 8 advocate Warren for his swearing-in ceremony .

I should have voted for John McCain. At least then I’d know what I was getting.

Wendy Averill

Culver City