NAMES IN THE NEWS : Helms Explains Stance on Gays

Sen. Jesse Helms (R-N.C.) has clarified his stance on homosexuals, saying he doesn’t hate them. “I was taught from the time I was a little boy to hate the sin and love the sinner,” Helms told The Charlotte Observer.

“But the way these people conduct themselves makes the second half of that mighty difficult sometimes.” Helms, who unsuccessfully tried to stop the Senate from passing a $600-million AIDS relief bill, said he fought the legislation because most AIDS victims are drug addicts or homosexuals and he doesn’t want Congress to subsidize either group. “You’re talking about what is decent and moral behavior,” he said.

“And it (homosexuality) is not decent and moral and we are taught biblically what it is--it’s an abomination.” Helms even objects to the use of the word “gay” to describe homosexuals. “I resent the corruption of a very fine word,” he said.