The mayor is up for re-election. The question and answer session was the usual Lee soft-balling about Iraq and the un-American activities of "some" council members. All that was lacking were tales of black helicopter sightings and alien abduction testimonials. I guess they were short on time. I just love talk radio.

The first caller, blessedly cut off by a bad cell connection, wanted to discuss his personal frustration with the court's DUI process. It was obvious he was driving while he talked, but it was unclear whether he was sober or not. Like I said, I love talk radio.

Then, it suddenly got very scary. The next caller wanted to discuss just how much power THOSE people; those GLBT (Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual and Transgendered) folks, had in this city.

The mayor repeatedly fumbled the acronym for the GLBT Commission and waffled on their policy accomplishments. Then, the caller abruptly shifted his questions to the parade application process.

Now, anyone with half a brain could see where this train wreck was headed. But apparently not the mayor.

Walkup invited the man to call his office to learn more about the process and get help. Walkup chirpily encouraged him saying, "Anybody can have a parade!" as he recited the mayor's office phone number.

Oh, it got worse. The caller told his tale of personal horror; of taking his son roller-blading in Reid Park and "accidentally" going into the GLBT Community OUT-tober Fest for a beer.

OK, I have to admit, this part was pretty funny. Anyone who has ever been to OUT-tober Fest knows the caller would have had to "accidentally" pay the $5 cover for each member of his family and "accidentally""walk past 15 or so drag queens, 100 rainbow flags, the full complement of Dykes on Bikes, just to get through the security gates.

Hel-LO!!!

But the caller plodded on and I winced when he finally cut to the inevitable chase. In response to the unspeakable trauma of seeing men holding hands and women touching each other - which he's apparently been playing over and OVER in his mind - he has now decided to apply for a permit for his very own Straight Pride Parade - something for all the "normal people, not the deviants." And the mayor had just given him the Tucson Bat Phone number and an invitation to fast-track the application process.

So what's the big deal? Yes, all politicians pander. It is not unusual to suck up to special interests. But bigots are different.

Homebuilders are not murdered by emboldened zealots in parking lots after hours just because they're homebuilders. Nor are car dealers tied to fence posts in Wyoming and left to die.

This caller went away believing Mayor Bob Walkup agrees with him and feels his pain. The mayor was perfectly willing to let him believe it.

Here's the larger point. If instead of GLBT's, that caller had bashed blacks, or Hispanics, or immigrants, Jews, or Muslims, or women - then I do not think Mayor Walkup's response would have been any different - not less pandering, not more confrontive, not more enlightened or pro-active.

Don't get me wrong. I do not think the mayor is a homophobe or a racist. But Republican Mayor Walkup knows he cannot afford to alienate a single bigot in this town if he hopes to get re-elected. The electoral numbers are too tight. And there are a lot of bigots in Tucson. Walkup cannot afford to openly oppose prejudice and hate, and still grab the brass ring.

If Mayor Walkup's vision of Tucson's future includes more mis-believing, political pandering to homophobes and supporting a Straight White Pride Parade for non-deviants, then he is not my candidate.

Maybe it's just me, but I really expected more from Walkup. For my vote, I want a mayor who fully understands the consequences of his actions; who understands that his calculated political silence could mean death for a GLBT kid.

I want a mayor with a fully functioning moral compass and the backbone to follow it.

Brad Holland is a Tucson attorney.