``The question is whether Hillsborough County should promote gay pride, and the answer to the question is, `No,' '' Storms said during an interview in her office.

The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce board of directors this morning is expected to discuss the policy championed by Storms. Chamber President Kim Scheeler and Chairman Sam Ellison each refused to comment on the policy last week when questioned by The Tampa Tribune, but some members say the issue can't be ignored.

David Caton, executive director of Florida Family Association and a leader in the 1995 repeal of the sexual orientation provision in the county's Human Rights Ordinance, also downplayed the economic impact of protests by gays.

A decade ago, ``people said they were going to do this, and they were going to do that, and the travel went up phenomenally,'' Caton said. ``It had zero effect on people traveling to this community.''

A few people have suggested the county policy could keep Tampa from hosting the 2009 Super Bowl.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the league office is aware of the situation, but ``it's an issue for Hillsborough County to resolve.''

Storms said the county policy has nothing to do with discrimination.

``Discrimination and promotion are two entirely different things,'' she said.

``You can respect somebody's human dignity and treat them with courtesy, but I'm still not going to promote what you do.''

Caton's group launched a counteroffensive of e-mails late Tuesday thanking commissioners for the new policy.

``Most people believe that homosexual behavior is unnatural, harmful and offensive,'' the e-mails said.

``Therefore, promoting a sense of pride in such an offensive lifestyle would be inappropriate and irresponsible.''

Commissioner Kathy Castor voted against the policy.

Gay activists say they want to reinstate sexual orientation in the county's Human Rights policy.

Caton said he may launch a new effort to repeal sexual orientation protection in the city's Human Rights Ordinance during the November 2006 general election or the March 2007 city election.

That would be divisive, said Mayor Pam Iorio, who has been outspoken against the county policy.

``I am completely opposed to that idea,`` Iorio said. ``That is one of the worst ideas I've heard in a long time. It would be met with tremendous opposition if it's attempted.''

Reporter Ellen Gedalius contributed to this report. Reporter Mark Holan can be reached at (813) 259-7691.