San Francisco's gay community, which backed Barack Obama's campaign, are protesting the president-elect's choice of pastor to give the inaugural prayer, as the priest is known for his anti-gay comments.

Rick Warren, pastor of the 20,000-member Saddleback Church in Orange County, has been a major force in eliminating the right of gay people to marry in California.

This made gay leaders in San Francisco and across the US disappointed at Obama's choice, which gave them a hard time understanding how a man who they see as associated with hate speech is worthy of giving the inaugural prayer, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

Obama defended his decision in a news conference Thursday, saying he's a fierce advocate of equality for gays and lesbians but wants to build relationships with people of opposing views.

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