Wilson Tells Gay County Republican Club He Welcomes Members’ Support

In a growing acknowledgement of the voting power of gay Republicans in Orange County, U.S. Sen. Pete Wilson (R-Calif.) addressed a reception co-sponsored by the Log Cabin Club in Laguna Beach on Sunday and welcomed their support.

The Log Cabin Club is an organization for gay Republicans in Orange County.

Wilson, who is running for reelection, also signaled that he would soon announce his opposition to Proposition 102, the November ballot initiative that would require that people exposed to the AIDS virus be reported to health officials.

“This is the first time we have clear statement by a leader of the Republican Party that this is a party that stands for inclusion,” said Frank Ricchiazzi, an organizer of the gathering and a member of the state GOP’s executive committee.

Also attending the gathering were Supervisor Thomas F. Reilly and his wife; Nathan Rosenberg, unsuccessful candidate for Congress in the 40th District; two members of the Laguna Beach City Council and a representative of the county’s Latino Republicans.

Before speaking to the group of about 100 men and women at a private home, Wilson stopped to talk with a dozen black-clad members of the Orange County Visibility League, a gay rights group, who wanted to call Wilson’s attention to a number of issues, including county, state and federal policy regarding AIDS, as well as violence against homosexuals.

“Something has to be done,” said Dr. Randy Farrell. “We’re asking for Sen. Wilson’s help.”

“I’m sure most of the people attending this event are supportive of us,” said Craig Martens, one of the demonstration’s organizers.

In fact, the identical issues were raised inside the meeting, which was co-sponsored by a nonpartisan group, the Elections Committee of the County of Orange, and Wilson gave similar responses.

Wilson said he supports the recommendations of the Presidential AIDS Commission, including prohibitions against discriminating against AIDS victims, which the senator called “essential.”

Although President Reagan did not endorse this recommendation, Wilson said that “people need to be protected against discrimination.”

The former San Diego mayor also said he approves of local anti-discrimination ordinances such as the one passed recently in Irvine. He called violence against gays “unconscionable” and said those responsible should be “punished to the full extent of the law.”

The senator said he intends to announce his position on Prop. 102 on Monday in San Francisco. He declined to say what his position would be, but told the group “I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.”

Leaders of the Log Cabin Club have clashed repeatedly with some GOP elected officials. Rep. Robert K. Dornan (R-Garden Grove), Rep. William E. Dannemeyer (R-Fullerton) and Assemblyman John R. Lewis (R-Orange) have all challenged the right of the Log Cabin Club to exist as a component of the Republican Party.

Asked about these comments, Wilson said, “Obviously I don’t agree, or I wouldn’t be here.”

Ricchiazzi complained that Dornan “has refused to talk to me. . . . We’re not going to play that kind of game if we want to be a majority party.”

Ricchiazzi described the Log Cabin Club as “a grass-roots organization that registers voters, walks precincts” and contributes to a statewide, gay Republican political action committee called CIRLCPAC.

Wilson said that “most gay Republicans want nothing special. They want equal rights.”

Looking around the living room overlooking the ocean, Wilson said, “These are entrepreneurs, people who are concerned about law and order and national defense.”

Ricchiazzi said he was a supporter of aid to the Nicaraguan Contras since 1983, but that Dornan “excluded us from also helping.” In the upcoming presidential race in California, Ricchiazzi said, the GOP will need all the help it can get in Orange County.

Before Wilson arrived, the protesters staged a “die-in” and drew chalk outlines on the street in memory of Orange County AIDS victims who have died.