THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Wednesday, February 15, 1995           TAG: 9502150500
SECTION: LOCAL                    PAGE: B7   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: BY ESTHER DISKIN, STAFF WRITER 
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH                     LENGTH: Short :   45 lines

GAY ACTIVIST STOOD UP BY EX-BOSS ROBERTSON FOR MEETING

Mel White, leader in a Christian denomination for gays and lesbians, marched onto the campus of Pat Robertson's Christian Broadcasting Network on Tuesday, arm-in-arm with 13 local clergymen and activists.

White - once Robertson's ghostwriter - planned to get arrested if Robertson refused to meet with him.

He didn't get the chance. White was left to sit alone in the lobby all afternoon. When the building closed at 5:30, security guards grabbed him by the arms and took him outside, White said.

``Pat is not in town today,'' said Gene Kapp, Robertson's spokesman, as he met the group on the sidewalk at noon. He offered to take the dozen roses and letter that they had brought for Robertson, but said, ``He doesn't intend to meet with you and doesn't intend to debate the issue.''

White said he would return today, possibly with people who are ready to be arrested along with him. White said he was told by a CBN official that if he comes back, he will be viewed as a trespasser.

White did not eat on Tuesday and plans to continue a ``symbolic fast.''

``Pat has decided that the best symbol he can be is to show that gay people aren't worth talking to,'' White said. ``My symbol is as a gay Christian experiencing that intolerance.''

White's reception Tuesday was a sharp contrast from his visit to CBN in the mid-1980s as Pat Robertson's ghostwriter.Then, he rode in Robertson's limousine and got a guest spot on ``The 700 Club.''

This time, White - dean of Dallas' Cathedral of Hope, the flagship church of a 30,000-member national denomination for homosexuals - came as an unwelcome visitor in a carefully staged event.

White reminded his supporters to remain peaceful: ``Don't say nasty things about Pat. Don't confuse the policy with the person. Everything must have to do with love.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo

White

by CNB