Gay candidate argues negative allegations in opponent's letter

CHARLESTON - A gay candidate for the state House of Representatives says his opponent should be embarrassed for saying the Democrat is aligned with a "militant homosexual lobby."

Charlie Smith is seeking the Lowcountry seat for the second time against Rep. John Graham Altman, R-Charleston.

In a fund-raising letter e-mailed to supporters Thursday, Altman said Smith belongs to a group that contributes to the "decay of traditional values in America" by supporting same-sex marriages and hiring homosexual Boy Scout troop leaders.

Smith said he is a board member for a gay-rights group called Alliance for Full Acceptance, but he said the nonprofit organization is not militant or involved in those activities.

In an e-mail sent to his supporters, Smith forwarded a copy of the letter along with a statement calling Altman a "bigot" and a "national embarrassment."

Smith's sexual orientation also was a major theme of Altman's campaign in the 2002 election between the candidates.

That frustrates Smith, who said the campaign should focus on issues such as education reform and rising health care costs.

"I've heard that stuff all my life. It really rolls right off me," Smith said. "We have real issues to deal with and this is not one of them."