Gay GOP activist Fred Karger, as you may know, is considering a run for president. But he won't get a legitimate platform in Iowa if right-wing Christians have anything to say about it. The Iowa Christian Alliance is blocking him from a candidate's forum:

Fred Karger, a retired GOP consultant from California, told The Ballot Box he's been excluded from the March 7 event because of his sexual orientation.

But Steve Scheffler, president of the Iowa group, said Karger wasn't among the 15 potential candidates invited to attend because he only talks about one issue — gay rights. "We're inviting all potential candidates who are legitimate candidates," Scheffler told The Ballot Box. Karger "is not a legitimate candidate."

"That's code for homophobia," said Karger, who worked as a consultant on the late Ronald Reagan's campaigns for governor and president. "I'm going to send him a letter and ask that I be included, and I'm going to look to the [Federal Election Commission] to see what the rules are."

It's not the first time Scheffler has opposed Karger. Last May he threatened, in an email, to sink Karger's campaign.

Said the email:

"You don't care about transparency–you and the radical homosexual community want to harass supporters of REAL marriage. I am the Republican National Committeeman for Iowa. As a private citizen and knowing literally thousands of caucus goers, I will work overtime to help ensure that your political aspirations are aborted right here in Iowa. Have you studied our past caucuses–you have NO chance here in Iowa!"