Obama tries to keep church, gays happy

DOVER, N.H., Oct. 26 (UPI) -- U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., said a gay minister will offer an invocation at a series of gospel concerts in South Carolina.

The Chicago Sun-Times said the Rev. Arthur Sidden was added to the schedule to offset the anti-gay reputation of another participant in the concert series, gospel star Donnie McClurkin. The gospel tour is aimed at attracting African Americans to Obama's run for the Democratic presidential nomination.

"I want to make sure that we are communicating the inclusive nature of this campaign, that I am continuing to reach out in the faith community," Obama told the newspaper. "But I wan to do it in a way that is consistent with my strong belief in equal rights for gays and lesbians. And I don't want there to be any confusion about that."

McClurkin's inclusion in Obama's gospel tour was sharply criticized by Web-based commentators and gay rights organizations.