Gay Republicans Say Wilson’s Veto Betrayed Them : Politics: Members of homosexual groups that campaigned for the governor voice anger and vow renewed legislative pressure.

The outcry over Gov. Pete Wilson’s veto of gay rights legislation intensified Wednesday as gay Republicans, saying that they felt “twice betrayed,” added their voices to the raucous statewide protests.

At the same time, an organization planning an AIDS telethon decided to pull Wilson’s taped appearance from the broadcast.

“Members of the gay community who have lost loved ones (to AIDS) would have been outraged to see Wilson’s face on the screen,” said Michael Weinstein, president of AIDS Healthcare Foundation, which is sponsoring the statewide telethon scheduled to air on cable television Nov. 10.

The Los Angeles branch of Log Cabin California, an organization of gay and lesbian Republicans, accused Wilson of having “capitulated to the whim of bigots” in vetoing the bill, which would have outlawed job discrimination against homosexuals.

“We feel twice betrayed,” said Robert Davis, a member of Log Cabin--betrayed as gays who wanted to see the legislation passed and as Republicans who campaigned for Wilson.

“As gay Republicans . . . we have to go back to our community and apologize and explain,” Davis said.

Echoing a call made by the vetoed bill’s author, Assemblyman Terry B. Friedman (D-Los Angeles), Log Cabin said it plans to go through legislative channels to fight for another law and make Wilson realize he made a mistake.

During a news conference in West Hollywood, the organization sought to distance itself from more militant groups that have staged raucous demonstrations to protest Wilson’s action.

“We’re just as angry as they are,” said Log Cabin officer Patricia Woodford, “but we believe in working through the legal system.”

The difference in approach is representative of a broader debate within the gay community over tactics and strategy. Some groups, such as ACT UP and Queer Nation, advocate more aggressive actions in fighting for gay rights and increased funding for AIDS research. Others prefer a more measured, peaceful course, arguing that violence alienates many non-gay people who are otherwise sympathetic to the cause.

Wilson vetoed the legislation--known as AB 101--Sunday, saying he felt it would lead to unnecessary and burdensome litigation and that he believed homosexuals are already protected under anti-discrimination regulations.

The legislation would have prohibited employment discrimination against gays and lesbians by adding sexual orientation to a list that includes religious beliefs and physical handicaps as reasons for which people cannot be denied a job.

Many conservatives from the religious right as well as the Republican Party opposed the measure, contending that sexual orientation should not become a criterion for granting protected status.

Wilson’s veto has unleashed a furor among gay advocates, setting off demonstrations in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Sacramento, culminating in a noisy protest Tuesday at Stanford University’s centennial celebration.

Log Cabin, with seven clubs statewide and counterparts in 17 states, said its members, while perhaps sympathetic to the sentiment, do not support such displays. The group also said disappointment in Wilson would not drive its members from the Republican Party.

“We can’t have gay rights unless it becomes a bipartisan issue,” said Log Cabin spokesman Steve Weiss. Weiss said Wilson has agreed to meet with the group.

Tom Larkin, who ran unsuccessfully as a Republican candidate against David A. Roberti for a seat in the state Senate, said this week that he switched to the Democratic Party out of disgust over Wilson’s veto.

In Los Angeles Wednesday, a rally in front of the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood mushroomed into a march of thousands to the Hollywood Bowl, scene of a sold-out concert by Sting.

Robert Birch, a spokesman for ACT UP/L.A., said he realized that the demonstration might alienate concertgoers, “but a few minutes of traffic disruptions doesn’t mean anything compared to the years of discrimination that we have suffered.”

Earlier in the week, scuffles had broken out between protesters, police and spectators during demonstrations in West Hollywood and in other parts of Los Angeles. Twelve arrests were reported Monday and three officers were injured. No arrests were reported Tuesday or Wednesday.

In addition, at least three gay activists who participated in Monday’s rally filed complaints Wednesday with the Los Angeles Police Department, alleging use of excessive force by officers.

Times staff writer Greg Braxton contributed to this story.