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

DATE: Friday, February 24, 1995              TAG: 9502240598
SECTION: LOCAL                    PAGE: B5   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: BY ESTHER DISKIN, STAFF WRITER 
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH                     LENGTH: Short :   46 lines

GAY ACTIVIST CONTINUES HIS FAST IN BEACH JAIL

As activist gay minister Mel White spends his 10th day in jail on a hunger strike, his supporters continue a vigil: Each day, a dozen pastors and gay activists walk to the Christian Broadcasting Network with a letter requesting an appointment with Pat Robertson.

Each day, they have been rebuffed. White, who worked as a ghostwriter for Robertson on his book ``America's Dates with Destiny,'' was arrested last week on trespassing charges when he sought an appointment with Robertson.

White, a leader in the Metropolitan Community Church, a 32,000-member Christian denomination for gays and lesbians, says he wants Robertson to publicly acknowledge hate crimes against gays and lesbians, and condemn people who incite or commit violence against homosexuals. He has told his supporters not to post bond and free him, and he says he is staying in jail as a matter of conscience.

Robertson's press office has released statements nearly every day criticizing White's actions as a publicity stunt. ``White's actions indicate he is not interested in genuine dialogue but rather imposing an unwarranted meeting demand upon Pat Robertson,'' Thursday's statement said.

White's supporters Thursday handed their letter and a pink rose to a security guard who stopped them at a parking lot on the CBN grounds. Michael Mulheran, a 36-year-old man with AIDS, was allowed to walk to the main studio building and drop off a letter he had written to Robertson.

Members of the clergy have been able to visit White, who is in a solitary cell in the Virginia Beach jail, nearly every day. On Thursday, some of his supporters said the visitation policy was changed so that fewer visits will be allowed. A jail spokesperson could not be reached for comment.

Gary Nixon, White's longtime partner, speaks to him daily by phone. White - who is drinking only a glass of milk, a glass of juice and water each day, according to his supporters - has lost 8 pounds, Nixon said.

He does not plan to stop his fast, Nixon said. ``He's planning on going all the way - he'll wait and wait and wait. He feels the message is getting out to people. He doesn't want to stop the fast because he feels people might feel it is a publicity stunt.'' by CNB