We reported recently that the DNC's new faith outreach director, Rev. Derrick Harkins, had signed a pledge in favor of same-sex marriage in 2009, only to state his adamant opposition to marriage equality earlier this year (when asked by Sarah Posner if he favored same-sex marriage, he responded "no no no.")
It seems that rather than get back to those of us reporting on this, and back to the gay community itself, and explain what's going on, the DNC decided to clarify things to Billy Graham's magazine. (That should tell you something.) They explained to Billy Graham's magazine that Harkins's name on the pro- marriage equality statement was a mistake, he supposedly never put his name on it.
Harkins's position became less clear after a petition advocating same-sex marriage surfaced. AmericaBlog, which covers LGBT politics, reported that Harkins was one of many D.C. pastors to sign a statement supporting same-sex marriage in the District. Harkins's name is listed, but he informed Christianity Today that the petition is erroneous. Harkins did not sign that petition or any other statement supporting same-sex marriage. When the issue was being discussed in D.C., he did not participate. His name was included on the petition without his knowledge or consent.Well, that's convenient. And sounds awfully familiar. Remember the runaround we're still getting from the White House on President Obama having signed two different questionnaires in 1996 affirming his support for marriage equality? Yet another signed statement that no one knows where it came from.
Perhaps one of our three remaining gay reporters covering the national scene can dog this. Messy, messy, messy.
