Gay Contribution

Re “In Reversal, Dole Calls Return of Gays’ Check a Mistake,” Oct. 18:

As a member of the gay community, I strongly support Sen. Bob Dole’s original decision to reject a campaign contribution from the Log Cabin Republicans. The true error was a gay and lesbian political group, led by Rich Tafel, supporting a GOP campaign.

The GOP exhibits only antagonism and hatred toward the gay community. Republicans chose the Christian Coalition and other radical religious groups as their political bedfellows. Dole’s reversal on the return of the $1,000 contribution (after two months of supporting it) is a pathetically transparent attempt to con the gay community into helping the radical right agenda gain power with our money and votes. If the radical right gains power with our help, they will still turn around and attempt to destroy us.

The Republicans and their supporters have called for a “cultural war” on the gay community. It is time to answer that call with a fury and vengeance they can’t begin to imagine. Tafel and the Log Cabin Republicans are aiding and abetting the enemy. They are traitors to the gay community and should be treated as such.

GARY L. ZIMMERMAN

West Hollywood

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* A spokesman for the presidential campaign of Dole said that while Dole “does not support the gay rights agenda, he also does not believe in discrimination.” Is that dolespeak or is it not?

For what is the gay rights agenda but an attempt to end discrimination? Apparently Dole does not believe in ending discrimination, although he is against discrimination.

LINDA HUF

Sherman Oaks