Locke caught with gay basher's support

How do you say one thing to one crowd and say something else to another? Harder to do in the internet age.

The endorsement of a local anti-gay crusader put mayoral contender Gene Locke on the spot Monday as he considered whether social conservatives' support was worth the risk of appearing to embrace views some voters may find intolerant.

Locke, the former city attorney enmeshed in a tough runoff campaign against openly gay City Controller Annise Parker, declined to say whether he would accept or reject the endorsement of Steven Hotze, an activist who has opposed gay candidates and causes since the 1980s.

Anyone who doesn't reject a Steven Hotze endorsement immediately is a 7 star a**.