Group Slams Anti-Gay Letter By Steve Largent

TULSA, Okla. - A Tulsa human-rights group yesterday slammed the anti-gay comments of Steve Largent, former Seattle Seahawk football player who is running for Oklahoma's 1st Congressional District seat.

Largent was a private citizen when he wrote the letter to the Tulsa World in January 1993. The former Seahawks wide receiver won the Republican nomination in the August primary.

Kelly Kirby, president of Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights, said that if Largent is elected Nov. 8, he will be obligated to represent all citizens, including gays.

Largent defended his letter and said his office would be open to all residents of the 1st District, which covers Tulsa. "I stand by my statement that many homosexual practices are immoral and downright repugnant," Largent said.

He said he opposes expansion of civil-rights protections to homosexuals because such rights should not be based on behavior.

In the letter, Largent called tolerance the buzzword of the '90s and questioned whether "evil practices" should be permitted.

Largent faces Democratic nominee Stuart Price in the race to fill the seat GOP Rep. James Inhofe left to run for the U.S. Senate.