West disinvited from Wilton Manors Business Association meeting

Rep. Allen West’s appearance at the Wilton Manors Business Association’s Aug. 8 meeting has been canceled.

The South Florida SunaSentinel reports:

Bowing to pressure from gay activists who threatened a business boycott, the Wilton Manors Business Association is cancelling an appearance by U.S. Rep. Allen West at its next meeting.

West, a Republican from Plantation, represents a district that includes lots of Wilton Manors.

But the planned appearance outraged some activists in the city’s large gay and lesbian community.

The Sun-Sentinel adds that “a decision to cancel the appearance was made Monday morning, said Sandra Steen, a member of the board of directors of the business association.”

West, R-Fort Lauderdale, a member of the House of Representatives Committee on Small Business, wrote to the Business Association last Wednesday that he looked forward to discussing business issues with the group. He also requested in the letter that the Business Association take the necessary steps “to ensure” the meeting “is focused on” its members.

West’s letter added, “that some individuals are calling upon a boycott of the Wilton Manors businesses.”

The Sun-Sentinel adds that “Steen, a Republican, is straight – but she’s also president of the Log Cabin Republicans, a gay political club. She said she doesn’t agree with all of West’s positions on gay-related issues, but said she supports him on fiscal issues.”