When John Bevis revealed to his mother that he was gay, she had only ever known three other gay men; two had died of AIDS, one had been a child molester.

"You can understand that she didn't take it very well," Bevis said.

But now, almost six years later, his mother's attitude has changed.

"My mother is now a die-hard Republican," he said. "She will fight for gay rights with me."

Bevis works as a staff member of Log Cabin Republicans, an organization in Washington, D.C. that fights for equality for gays and lesbians. He spoke to a crowd of about 20 people in Foster Auditorium in Pattee Library last night about why it's OK to be gay and a Republican as part of National Coming Out Week.

Though he said his organization agreed with the Republican Party on 95 percent of the issues, Bevis did say, "the GOP is not where it should be on gay and lesbian issues."

To solve this, Bevis spends his time running the day-to-day operations of the organization and he travels around the country to spread the mission of the Log Cabin Republicans.

Being both gay and a Republican has been a challenge for Bevis. He said all the harassment he receives comes from members of the gay community.

"I've never been gay-bashed by a Republican in my life," he said.

He has received numerous threatening e-mails, been attacked and has had drinks spilled on him at bars by members of the gay community.

Still, Bevis persists in his work. He has campaigned for California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, U.S. Sen. Lincoln Chafee and President George W. Bush.

Bevis encouraged the College Republicans to work with other organizations on campus and coordinate a panel discussion where different viewpoints could be presented.

Charles Gable, former College Republicans adviser who is gay, said he identified with Bevis' stories about being received with hostility by members of the gay community.

"Republicans have treated me better than some gay people," Gable said.