(Minneapolis, Minnesota) An exhibition of

(Minneapolis, Minnesota) An exhibition of the atrocities the Nazis perpetrated on German and Polish gays is coming to Minneapolis, the home of a state legislator who claims gays made up their victimization during the Holocaust to gain sympathy.

Last March state Rep. Arlon Lindner during debate on two bills he had brought forward to repeal gay rights laws in the state, said gays were lying when they cited thousands of homosexuals who were exterminated or sent to concentration camps by the Nazis.

"It never happened," Lindner told the House. "I was a child during World War II, and I've read a lot about World War II," he said. "It's just been recently that anyone's come out with this idea that homosexuals were persecuted to this extent. There's been a lot of rewriting of history."

Lindner also refused an invitation to visit the National Holocaust Museum, just outside Washington, where an exhibit of gays in the Holocaust was on display. So, when the museum announced it was sending the exhibit on a tour of the US, Minneapolis gay and Jewish groups seized on the opportunity to offer both Lindner and the community a history lesson.

For my part of this, I've offered to pay for the Representatives' tickets to the event. He now really has no excuse not to go. I sent the following email to Representative Arlon Lindner:

Dear Representative Lindner:

I have read in the news over the last year of your comments concerning gay persecution at the hands of the Nazi's during World War II. I understand that you believe that they were never persecuted. Your remarks to the House:

"It never happened. I was a child during World War II, and I've read a lot about World War II. It's just been recently that anyone's come out with this idea that homosexuals were persecuted to this extent. There's been a lot of rewriting of history."

Well sir, I understand that an exhibition of the atrocities the Nazis perpetrated on German and Polish gays is coming to Minneapolis. If you will go to the exhibit, I will gladly pay the price for admission for two adults. I think it may be very educational for you.

You have my email address. Just let me know when you will be going, and I'll make arrangements for admission (assuming there will be a charge of admission). You can't beat a deal like that! You really have no reason not to go, unless you fear the truth.

Sincerely,

Bill Cannon
Coventry, CT

To send email to Representative Lindler, go to his website.