Buying time

MOST GAY VOTERS have probably never heard of ANGLE, but Bill Clinton knows it intimately. That's because Access Now for Gay and Lesbian Equality raises money--lots of it--for candidates and has emerged as a major force in politics.

"Raising money gives you power" says member Jeremy Bernard, a fund-raising consultant for Barack Obama's presidential campaign.

Founded in 1989, ANGLE replaced the first openly gay political action committee, the Municipal Elections Committee of Los Angeles. ANGLE doesn't consider itself a PAC, though, because it bundles money from members rather than sending candidates one large check. But both groups tapped into the gay ATM of Southern California, as Bernard describes it, to raise money for candidates with a pro-gay track record.

The real value of ANGLE, says Bernard is "gay people coming together and showing power by raising money."

Attending ANGLE breakfasts, where candidates speak to queer community leaders, is now a requirement for any serious presidential, congressional, or state politician who wants gay votes and money. After the vetting, ANGLE's board of directors decides who--if anyone--gets a big donation. Consensus is important, since ANGLE's goal is to raise as much as money as possible for one candidate.

"If you raise over $1 million you become a player," says West Hollywood mayor and ANGLE cofounder John Duran, citing a typical group donation.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

ANGLE was an early supporter of the 1992 Clinton presidential campaign; not coincidentally, Bill Clinton's former campaign guru, David Mixner, was a cofounding member of ANGLE. The group also contributed to Howard Dean's 2004 White House run and L.A. mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's successful campaign in 2005.

This year ANGLE is waiting for the primary race to be decided before contributing to anyone, especially with such a gay-friendly Democratic field. "It's a different world from 1992 or 1996" says Bernard. "It is really remarkable how far the presidential candidates have come." ANGLE, no doubt, has something to do with it.

COPYRIGHT 2008 LPI Media
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning