Homosexuality and GOP Party

I wish to commend Lanie Jones for her fair and balanced reporting on the Log Cabin Club of Orange County (March 2). It was amusing to read Assemblyman John Lewis’ and Rep. William Dannemeyer’s opinions on homosexuality. Lewis calls it an “illness” and Dannemeyer claims it is a “sin.”

The two opinions are patently contradictory and equally wrong. If either gentlemen would take the trouble to consult with knowledgeable medical sources, they would learn that it is neither an illness nor a sin. It is a normal human phenomenon that exists among more than 10% of the population and has since time began. It is no more an illness or sin than being left-handed.

I agree with Tom Fuentes, Orange County Republican party chairman, that homosexuality should be a non-issue. Unfortunately, vicious attacks by the likes of Dannemeyer have forced it to be an issue, and we will no longer sit back and let these misguided zealots go unanswered.

They are using the issue for self-serving purposes to promote their political ambitions by catering to the prejudices of misinformed people. They fail to recognize, because we have remained silent and undeclared for so long, that we are their brothers and sisters, sons and daughters, and mothers and fathers.

My friend and I have lived together for 26 years. I will match our record of integrity and social responsibility with any other couple. Our friends and neighbors form their opinions of us as human beings and not whether we are gay or non-gay.

Unfortunately, there is an element in this world led by the far right that feels that homosexuals are not human beings. We are compelled to speak out to protect the rights that some of these individuals want to deny us.

The Republican Party platform adopted in 1984 states: “The Republican Party reaffirms its support of the pluralism and freedom that have been part and parcel of this great country. In so doing, it repudiates and completely disassociates itself from people, organizations, publications and entities which promulgate the practice of any form of bigotry, racism, anti-Semitism or religious intolerance.”

Apparently this information has not filtered down to certain Orange County Republican representatives. Orange County Republicans feel pretty smug because of the large plurality in registrations they hold over the Democrats. We wish to remind them we are not just Orange County Republicans, we are California Republicans and United States of America Republicans.

Many elections hang on a very small swing vote, as witness the last gubernatorial election. The gay constituency is uniting statewide and checking the human rights positions of all candidates. We can and will make a difference in many elections to come. The Republican leadership ignores us at their own peril.

ALEXANDER J. WENTZEL

President, Log Cabin Club of

Orange County