Reader comments from www.advocate.com.

In the October 11 issue, we asked:

Do the antigay
policies of
some national
relief groups
influence
where you donate
money to Katrina
relief efforts?

yes                     88%

no                       9%

unsure                   3%

Note: Table made from pie chart.

* "Why donate to an organization that will refuse to recognize the issues that our brothers and sisters are facing in the aftermath of this tragedy?"

* "There are so many places where one can donate and get relief to hurricane victims. It's twice the activism for your dime!"

* "While the Salvation Army, for example, may do good work for those in need, I cannot give my money to an organization that is going to use it to proselytize and speak against us."

* "If the Salvation Army, for example, were the only means for contributing, the need to help the disaster victims would take precedence, and I could not let their antigay policies be a factor."

* "I am influenced not only by antigay policies but also by donations to hostile community organizations (the Boy Scouts, for example)."

* "When you're desperate, you go wherever a helping hand is offered, regardless of their corporate beliefs about gays or any other groups."