Allen Roskoff's never been afraid to voice his opinion. Well, that's not true. Like so many of the lavender set, the New York-based activist once hid in the closet, but found himself out and proud after falling in with the Gay Activist Alliance, one of our city's first post-Stonewall rights groups.

Now, as president of the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club, Roskoff remains one of the most progressive activists this side of the Mississippi. In fact, it was an email from Roskoff that spurred the following exchange with our editor.

Some of you may recall last week's story about anti-gay "cult" Aesthetic Realism. Well, Roskoff wrote to us and regaled us with tales of how he and his GAA pals used to rail against the group.

Always intrigued by tales of homo history, we asked Roskoff if he'd like to elaborate for you, our darling readers. And he graciously agreed.

Read what Roskoff has to say about the Realism movement, gay activism's golden years, why homos need to stop cheering for Hillary Clinton, how Barney Frank and HRC do more harm than good, and why Barack Obama must be the Democratic nominee - after the jump, naturally.

[Image]

CONTINUED »

Allegedly anti-gay "cult" leaders may have pulled a fast one on Brooklyn-based Assemblyman Felix Ortiz.

Aesthetic Realism applied for $4,000 of state-funding to help their work at Raices, a largely Latino senior center in Brooklyn.

It seemed like an honorable cause, we're sure, because the group had never before received monetary assistance during its 13-years of service. Unfortunately Ortiz didn't do his homework. Former AR members claim the group's nothing more than a cult that preys on the elderly - and the gays.

CONTINUED »