Politically it was both brilliantly strategic (if you want to show yourself as being open to diverse opinions and a wide variety of religious perspectives) and very disappointing (for it does not move us beyond this nonsensical discriminatory way our state and country deals with gay men and lesbians). Thus I signed onto a letter to President Elect Obama, saying (you too can sign on here) :

Dear President Elect Obama:

I am disappointed by the invitation to anti-LGBT and Prop. 8 supporter Rev. Warren to give the invocation at your inauguration next month.

But I am writing to you today as a Human Rights Campaign supporter urging you to turn the corner on this controversy by officially committing to HRC’s Blueprint for Positive Change — a concrete plan for LGBT equality:

— Issue an Executive Order within the first 100 days that reaffirms protections for federal workers based on sexual orientation and expands them to also include gender identity;

— Work with Congress to sign Hate Crimes legislation into law within 6 months;

— Support only a fully inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA);

— In the first 100 days develop a plan to begin the process of eliminating the failed “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy; and

— Work with Congress to end unequal tax treatment of domestic partnerships benefits.

Yesterday, you defended your selection of Rev. Warren by saying “I am a fierce advocate for equality for gay and lesbian Americans.”

I ask you to restore my trust by pledging to support HRC’s Blueprint for Positive Change.