I was one of the 250 people invited to attend last week's LOGO/HRC Democratic debate in Los Angeles, which focused on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues.

In my second-row seat, witty gay men surrounded me and editorialized on every issue. Like smart, lovable gnomes, they guarded the gay agenda. They opined when they thought a candidate had fumbled or advanced the ball and revealed the show's behind-the-scenes happenings.

For example, I got the skinny on Bill Richardson's aim to get skinny: The New Mexico governor had asked that no snacks be placed in his dressing room. He didn't want to be tempted off of his diet. One gnome said to me, "If he can be tempted by Chex Mix, can we trust him when corporate campaign checks get tossed into the mix?" I couldn't quite grasp the connection.

The Democrats were questioned in the order they RSVP'd for the event; Barack Obama was first, and Hillary Rodham Clinton was last.

Obama - following the "separate but equal" line and discounting the importance of the word "marriage" - argued that the rights afforded married couples should be given to the LGBT community. He described himself as a "supporter ... of a strong version" of civil union - a platform

that did not produce smiley faces in the crowd because they felt the word "marriage" was central to true equality. I thought Obama's biggest error was to suggest gay issues and homophobia are less important than inner-city jobs, but the interviewers let him walk.

The second victim tossed into the ring was Sen. John Edwards, who also shied away from supporting same-sex marriage. Edwards blurted out, "It's not true" in response to a rumor that he was uncomfortable around gay people. I heard my neighboring gnome mumble, "Thank goodness for that, Senator. `Cause it looks like we've got you surrounded."

Richardson made the most pronounced blunder of the evening when he said that being gay was based on choice rather than genetic factors, a comment that surely came from a deprivation of brain food, most notably Chex Mix. Following the debate, his campaign sent an emergency e-mail to the press, reversing his position.

Richardson - who also refused to support gay marriage - pounded the line, "I'll do what's achievable," so many times that those around me wondered if yanking him off the stage would be achievable.

Sen. Clinton - who wore a festive coral jacket - was not immune from the innocent candidate-bashing game. One gnome said, "she's dressed like one of us," and another mused, "I almost wore the same outfit." Clinton also did not support the LGBT threshold issue: gay marriage; and like her opponents, she could not explain why. She merely called it a "personal position."

Clinton's greatest stumble came when she said the LGBT community's fight for equality "has not been a long-term struggle yet," implying that a group needs to suffer for a prescribed number of years before a politician takes notice.

Former Sen. Mike Gravel, the candidate I affectionately call the "grumpy outsider," was not so grumpy that night, nor was he an outsider. The crowd loved it when he tossed his support to same-sex marriage, and predicted "five years from now, the marriage issue will be a non-issue."

At first the gnome to my left said Gravel's shoes were not up to par, "I am judging all candidates on their shoes, and this one fails. This is a gay forum. He should know better."

However, after Gravel proved himself to be an advocate for LGBT issues, the gnome altered his harsh position. "I've changed my mind. I like what he said, so I've decided his shoes are OK." I'm sure Gravel is relieved.

Rep. Dennis Kucinich gave his unwavering support to same-sex marriage. Like a cross between Tarzan and a Vermont Teddy Bear, he radiated a cuddly and caring confidence while beating on his chest that "the federal government (should) be the agent for change" and that as president, he would be a true leader, always taking a stand on principle. The panelists gushed over him, saying, "They told me not to fawn over you" and "you're so evolved for a member of Congress." My gnomes were all smiley faces and applause.

I feel Kucinich won the debate due to his sincerity and passion for the issues, while Gravel earned second place.

The gay debate was about the LGBT community "arriving" and formally entering the hallowed political halls. It was about fun and making tasteless jokes at the poor candidates' expense. It was about moving toward a necessary equality.

And there's absolutely nothing the matter with that.

Charlotte Laws is an author and serves on the city's panel overseeing neighborhood councils. Contact her through her Web site, www.charlottelaws.org.