Singer McClurkin denies he is anti-gay

CHICAGO, Oct. 24 (UPI) -- U.S. gospel music star Donnie McClurkin, under fire for suggesting in an interview that sexuality is a matter of choice, denies he is anti-gay.

McClurkin lived as a gay man for almost 20 years and now says he is straight. However, he insists he does not crusade against homosexuality.

"There's never been a statement made by me about curing homosexuality. People are using that in order to incite anger and to twist my whole platform on it," McClurkin said in an interview with The Chicago Tribune. "There's no crusade for curing it or to convert everyone. This is just for those who come to me and ask for change."

McClurkin is scheduled to perform in South Carolina this weekend at a concert series to promote the presidential campaign of Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill.

A gay-rights group is criticizing McClurkin for implying homosexuality is a choice, while bloggers are calling for Obama to boot the singer, stating McClurkin's views are anti-gay.

"I don't believe that even from a religious point of view that Jesus ever discriminated toward anyone, nor do I," McClurkin told the Tribune. "Most of the things that were said were totally out of context and then other things weren't true."