Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, May 10, 1994 TAG: 9405100148
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: The Washington Post
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Medium
Robb, a Democrat, condemned the ``fundamental unfairness'' of anti-gay discrimination and called efforts to end it ``the last front of the true civil rights struggle.'' He promised that ``we're going to get it right in the very near future.''
The cause of gay rights is widely unpopular with Virginia's conservative electorate, which reacted harshly last year when Robb supported allowing gays to serve in the military. His remarks Monday brought a sharp response from both Democratic and Republican opponents in the Senate race.
A spokesman for state Sen. Virgil Goode of Rocky Mount, who is challenging Robb for the Democratic nomination and opposes military service by homosexuals, said Goode's position ``will appeal to mainstream voters'' and will make him ``a more electable candidate.'' The two Republican Senate contenders, Jim Miller and Oliver North, also criticized Robb.
Robb's speech was the keynote address at the final session of a three-day conference held by the Human Rights Campaign Fund. The crowd of 100 gave him two standing ovations.
Last year, Robb won enthusiastic backing from many in the gay community by saying the military's ranks should be opened to homosexuals. His unexpected action provoked great anger among the state's substantial population of military retirees.
Among Robb's opponents, North has launched the harshest attacks regarding gay rights, repeatedly raising the issue in mass mailings aimed at conservative voters. North spokesman Mark Merritt said Monday that if Robb and North meet in the general election, gay rights will become an even bigger issue.
``Chuck Robb focuses on special rights for homosexuals, while Ollie North focuses on the rights of Virginia's families,'' Merritt said. ``You'll never see Ollie North carrying water for liberal special-interest groups.''
In remarks after his speech Monday, Robb said he doesn't ``expect enough change in the situation to make [homosexual rights] a positive issue'' in his re-election bid.
But Robb called the issue ``a matter of principle'' and said he will not back away despite the political risks. He said he has adopted ``a libertarian position'' and believes that the government should not interfere in someone's personal life. He has acknowledged that until last year, he had not taken a strong stand on gay rights.
Robb's stance does provide him with some political benefits. The Human Rights Campaign Fund's political action committee has given Robb the maximum amount allowed by law, $10,000, and several prominent homosexuals have helped Robb raise additional money. One sent a nationwide fund-raising letter on his behalf last year.
``We have hundreds of volunteers who are going to help him in getting out the vote'' in the June 14 primary election, said Gregory King, a spokesman for the Campaign Fund. ``It's pretty rare for a Southern politician to be supportive of ending discrimination. ... Chuck Robb is a profile in courage.''
Aides to Robb also say they believe his highly public role in the debate over gays in the military made it inevitable that the issue would be used against him. Instead of avoiding the issue, they hope it will demonstrate a willingness on Robb's part to take tough positions.
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB