The Boston Globe reprinted a Washington Post article about this
meeting, which is appended below.  The article doesn't say where in
Washington the meeting took place, though it does emphasize that Bush
sought the fundies out.  It's distressing to me how increasingly
accessible this administration is to some of the more radical right
wing/fundamentalist individuals and groups (such as Jerry Falwell and
Concerned Women for America), while even moderately progressive groups
have no access.  Who Bush chooses to listen to speaks volumes about
where he plans to lead the country if re-elected.



From the Boston Globe, Wednesday April 22, 1992


BUSH SAYS GAY RIGHTS LAWS AREN'T NECESSARY

(Washington Post)

Washington - President Bush told a group of evangelical Christian
leaders yesterday that he opposes special laws to protect the rights
of homosexuals, including the recent domestic partners legislation in
the District of Columbia, according to accounts of the meeting.

[Unrelated stuff about Bush's economic record]

Bush sought the meeting with the 15 evangelical leaders to shore up
their support.  The leaders included Robert Dugan, director of the
Washington office of the National Association of Evangelicals, Bob
Jones 3d, president of Bob Jones University, Rev. Jerry Falwell, and
Beverly LaHaye, president of Concerned Women for America.

The groups have expressed concern about the President's stand on
homosexual rights.  In the session, Bush was asked to reiterate his
support for "traditional values."

The District of Columbia law allows unmarried adult couples living
together to register with the city as "domestic partners."  The
registration entitles the partners, if one worked for the city
government, to be covered by city health insurance.  Certain other
rights are extended.

Dugan said the evangelical community is supporting what may be an
effort by some House Republicans to pass a resolution repudiating the
District's law and similar laws.  "This is not gay bashing," Dugan
said, arguing that while homosexuals should have the rights all
citizens do, they should not get "special rights" because of their
lifestyle.

A senior official said that Bush told the group that he opposes
extending special rights to homosexuals but did not commit himself to
work for a congressional resolution.

[More unrelated stuff about Bush's economic record]


Peter Nelson, petnel@aer.com