Date:         Thu, 17 Nov 1994 11:59:45 -0700

                          The San Francisco Chronicle

                  NOVEMBER 16, 1994, WEDNESDAY, FINAL EDITION

HEADLINE: LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

   IMPORTANCE OF GAY VOTE

   Editor -- Despite grandiose claims by the Christian Coalition and other
conservative political groups, the Republican sweep in the midterm elections
was
not a mandate for the social agenda of the party's extreme right wing. Where
voters spoke directly on the subject of equal rights for gay people, they sent
a clear message that their vision of change does not include an agenda of
intolerance. Anti-gay initiatives and extremist candidates were defeated in the
midst of the Republican rout.

   In conservative Idaho, where Republicans swept congressional and state
elections, GOP voters provided the margin of victory over anti-gay Proposition
I. In Oregon, where the Christian Coalition dumped 650,000 ''voter guides''
directing people to approve Measure 13, voters rejected Pat Robertson's agenda
and sent a clear signal that they oppose discrimination and support equal
rights
for all people.

   In congressional elections, the gay community contributed to the defeat of
Oliver North, contacting 15,000 moderate voters throughout the state --
equivalent to 29 percent of Senator Chuck Robb's margin of victory. All 13
Senate incumbents who co-sponsored our top legislative priority -- the
Employment Non-Discrimination Act -- were re- elected. Of 120 House
co-sponsors,
110 were re-elected, and 11 new members have pledged to co-sponsor the bill.

   These results confirm trends seen in a series of public opinion polls, which
show broad public support for equal rights. A U.S. News & World Report poll
found that two- thirds of voters support equal rights for lesbian and gay
people. The respected Times Mirror Center for the People and the Press reported
that the most important swing vote in the electorate -- comprising one-fifth of
all registered voters -- is ''highly tolerant of homosexuality.''

   Perhaps this is why none of the right's social issues are included in the
Republican's Contract with America. Extreme anti-gay views do not attract
mainstream voters.

   TIM McFEELY

   Washington D.C.