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The number of openly gay elected officials has grown nationally from 49 to 380 since 1991, according to Denis Dison, spokesman for the Gay and Lesbian Victory Organization, a political action committee.

Fighting uphill

"I think it matters, but less so than it did in the past," said Andy Taylor, a political scientist at N.C. State University. "My sense is that even before the revelation, he [Neal] was facing an uphill battle given his lack of experience. Mrs. Dole, although her popularity has eroded with the national problems of the Republicans, is still a pretty formidable candidate."

The Dole's campaign immediate reaction was to leave it alone.

"We are not going to comment on the guy's personal life," said Mark Stephens, a Dole strategist.

Kerra Bolton, a Democratic Party spokeswoman, said the party was "open and inclusive," but noted that Neal could still have a primary.

Although he is willing to acknowledge his sexual orientation, Neal said he did not want to talk in detail about his private life. Neal, who grew up in Greensboro but lived most of his adult life in New York, said he married young and had two sons. He said his marriage broke up after 10 years when he realized he was a homosexual -- about 18 years ago.

"I loved her," Neal said. "I cared very deeply about her. My marriage ended because I realized I was gay. There was no sham to my marriage. When I came to accept myself, which I did, it wasn't easy. I felt that I can't live my life as a fraud. It's not fair to my children, it's not fair to her and it's not fair to me."

Neal said that he retained custody of his sons, one of whom still lives with him.

Neal said he hoped the issue of sexuality would blow over.

"I hope this race is not about my sexuality," Neal said. " ... I'm not running to make a social statement. I'm not running as the gay candidate. I am many things -- an American, a North Carolinian, a parent, a businessman and lots of other things."

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