Carroll apologizes for remarks that offended gay rights advocates

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TALLAHASSEE

Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll has apologized to a gay rights group for remarks that the group said were harmful to Floridians.

“I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincerest apologies to anyone I may have offended with my recent comment,” Carroll said in a letter that was faxed to Equality Florida late today. “It is wrong and inexcusable to make a comment that hurts people and that was not my intention. As a Christian, my faith guides me to love and respect all people.

“The false charges that have been logged against me are no excuse for what I have said that may have been hurtful to members of your organization and to other Floridians. Please know that I am committed to treating every person with the utmost courtesy, respect and dignity and I hope you will accept my heartfelt apology.”

Nadine Smith, head of Equality Florida, which is the largest civil rights group for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender citizens in Florida, had condemned Carroll for saying women “who look like me don’t engage in relationships like that.” Her remark, in a television interview, was in response to allegations that Carroll had an inappropriate relationship with an aide. Carroll has said the accusations are false.

Smith, who is an African-American like Carroll, said the lieutenant governor’s remarks created “a series of stereotypes about women, lesbians and black people in one fell swoop.”

But Smith said late Thursday that Carroll personally contacted her and apologized for the remarks.

“On behalf of Equality Florida, I want to thank Lt. Gov. Carroll for taking responsibility for her words and for responding to the harm those words inflicted,” Smith said in a statement. “Apologies by elected leaders for public mistakes are rare and it is to the lieutenant governor’s credit that she has taken this step.

“In Florida, which has no statewide legal protections from discrimination for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender residents, the words of our elected leaders matter a great deal.”

Here is Smith’s complete statement:

I just got off the phone with Lt. Governor Jennifer Carroll. Her Chief of Staff faxed her written apology and the Lt. Governor called to personally apologize for the words she used in refuting allegations brought by former staffer. In addition, she expressed her appreciation for the opportunity to communicate her commitment to treating everyone with respect and dignity. The Lt. Governor invited Equality Florida to reach out to her office if she could be of assistance and I offered our organization as a resource as well.

On behalf of a Equality Florida, I want to thank Lt. Governor Carroll for taking responsibility for her words and for responding to the harm those words inflicted.

Apologies by elected leaders for public mistakes are rare and it is to the Lt. Governor’s credit that she has taken this step.

In Florida, which has no statewide legal protections from discrimination for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender residents, the words of our elected leaders matter a great deal.

Equality Florida is the state’s largest civil rights organization dedicated to securing full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Floridians.

 

 

 

 

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Lloyd Dunkelberger

Lloyd Dunkelberger is the Htpolitics.com Capital Bureau Chief. He can be reached by email or call 850 556-3542. ""More Dunkelberger" Make sure to "Like" HT Politics on Facebook for all your breaking political news.
Last modified: July 26, 2012
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