A disturbing endorsement of Rivers

SENATOR HILLARY Clinton's keynote speech at a fund-raiser for the Rev. Eugene Rivers's charities is disturbing (''Sen. Clinton urges use of faith-based initiatives," Jan. 20, Page B1). While I'm sure these organizations do good work, Rivers is a demagogue with a history of trying to pit gay people and people of color against one another.

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Last week in a speech in Grand Rapids, Mich., Rivers characterized efforts by gay couples to marry as an assertion of white privilege (Grand Rapids Press, Jan. 12). Rivers claimed most gay couples seeking to marry are ''white lesbians" living in ''positions of socio-economic privilege." In fact, lesbian couples earn less than married straight couples, and seek not privilege but ''equal protection of the laws."

Rivers irresponsibly stokes resentment against gay people based on misinformation. He talks like there are no gay people of color. Ironically, some of those hurt most by the antigay policies Rivers promotes are black lesbian mothers.

Black lesbian couples parent at nearly the same rate as black heterosexual married couples, yet earn $9,000 a year less and enjoy none of the benefits and protections of marriage.

SEAN CAHILL
Director, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Policy Institute
New York, N.Y.