GOP mudslinging over gay rights confuses candidates

ATLANTA - Cecil Staton, a Republican candidate for the 11th Congressional District, has labeled his runoff opponent, state Senator Phil Gingrey, a supporter of homosexuals who favors special protection to gays. <br> <br> That&#39;s confusing to Gingrey, who was criticized by gay activists for sponsoring a bill that would have prohibited schools from denying use of their facilities to the Boy Scouts, who don&#39;t allow gays to serve as adult leaders. <br> <br> Gingrey said today he&#39;s not for special rights for gays and oesn&#39;t think they should be a protected minority class of citizens. He says he&#39;s for equal rights, not special rights. <br> <br> Some of the state&#39;s gay rights groups are also scratching their heads at Staton&#39;s remarks. <br> <br> Allen Thornell, executive director of Georgia Equality, the state&#39;s largest gay political group, says he thinks Staton&#39;s remarks are laughable. He says, quote: ``Gingrey has gone out of his way to show that he is anti-gay.&#39;&#39;