"[THE DOMESTIC PARTNER benefits issue] is not about morality, it's about fairness and practicality. Partners in same-sex unions are prevented by state law from marrying... Locke understands all that and is exerting much-needed leadership on behalf of fair and practical state employment policy. Good for him."--The Seattle Times

What the Times neglected to mention, however, was that Locke had to be dragged kicking and screaming to his "leadership" role on domestic partner benefits. In fact, two weeks before coming out in support of domestic partner benefits, Locke met with queer bigwigs in Seattle to let them know he might come out against domestic partner benefits ["Queer Move," Dan Savage, April 13].

Let's pause for a moment and reflect on the stunning political crassness of Locke's move. After promising state Republican leaders that he would NOT support domestic partner benefits for gay and lesbian state employees, Locke met with gay and lesbian leaders in Seattle and told them he MIGHT NOT support domestic partner benefits. Few people in the room had a personal stake in the issue. So, the question Locke was really asking Seattle's wealthy, well-connected gay and lesbian leaders was this: Would they keep quiet while the governor screwed over gay and lesbian state employees--men and women with-out the cash or connections to raise an effective stink on their own?

Shortly after the meeting, Locke got his answer. Gay and lesbian leaders flooded his office with calls and e-mails, complained to the press, and threatened to withhold financial support during Locke's re-election campaign. Only after realizing that opposing domestic partner benefits would do him more political damage than good did Locke finally understand that domestic partner benefits are about "fairness and practicality."

Before gay and lesbian leaders fall all over themselves praising Locke for doing the right thing, they should take a look at the rest of Locke's record on gay and lesbian issues.

· Gay Civil Rights Bill

Locke's two predecessors (Booth Gardner and Mike Lowry) sent a statewide gay civil rights bill as Governor's Request Legislation to lawmakers every year for 12 years. "Governor's Request Legislation" is a designation that can help move a bill through committees, or at the very least, emphasize a bill's importance. Not once in four years has Locke designated the Gay Civil Rights Bill as Governor's Request Legislation.

· HIV/AIDS Funding

The first budget Locke submitted included huge cuts in HIV/AIDS funding. The Northwest AIDS Foundation (NWAF) called a press conference in Olympia, and, by working with moderate Republicans, managed to restore the funds Locke cut.

In a separate administrative move, Locke attempted to cut funding for Rosehedge, a residential treatment facility for people with AIDS.

· Safe Schools Bill

For three years, activists and gay elected officials have been trying to pass a bill that would address malicious harassment in Washington state schools. Locke was asked to designate the Safe Schools Bill as Governor's Request Legislation. The governor has declined to do so for three years in a row, and the bill has died in committee every year.

In response to a school shooting in Oregon three years ago, Locke put together a task force on violence in schools. Locke's task force did not include anyone from the Safe Schools Coalition, a group that has documented numerous cases of anti-gay violence in Washington state schools. Only after the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Teachers Network (GLSTN) organized phone calls, letters, and e-mails did Locke relent and appoint a gay person to his task force.

In the most recent legislative session, Locke tried to negotiate a Safe Schools Bill that did NOT include language to protect gay or lesbians students.

· Public Support

Since taking office in January 1997, Locke has failed to attend a single high-profile gay and lesbian event. Facing a tough re-election campaign, Locke turned up at NWAF's Oscar Night Party, and is now scheduled to speak at this year's gay pride parade.

Gays and lesbians who attend the parade have to ask themselves how they should respond to Locke's speech. I suggest tomatoes.