Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The Latest on a former Oklahoma City mayor and member of the University of Oklahoma Board of Regents who is being criticized for comparing gay people to pedophiles (all times local):
8:30 p.m.
University of Oklahoma Regent Kirk Humphreys now disavows a statement made on a television panel comparing homosexuality with pedophilia.
In a statement to The Oklahoman newspaper Monday evening, the former Oklahoma City mayor said he did not mean to equate homosexuality with pedophilia. He said he regrets that his comments on the KFOR-TV public affairs show "FlashPoint" on homosexuality, in his words, "were not clear and led some people to believe that I was equating homosexuality with pedophilia." He said that was neither his "intention or desire," and he apologized for what he called his "lack of clarity."
He said that, "for clarification," his stance about homosexuality is "that it is against the teachings of Scripture."
___
5:15 p.m.
The chair of the board that governs the University of Oklahoma system says the panel disagrees with one of its members saying that gay people are like pedophiles.
Chairman Clay Bennett, who also is chairman of the NBA's Oklahoma City Thunder, said in statement Monday that the OU board of regents values students' diverse perspectives, backgrounds and experiences. Bennett said the board is reiterating its commitment to fairness and inclusion at OU system universities.
Humphreys made the comments on KFOR-TV's public affairs show over the weekend. The former Oklahoma City mayor also compared gay people to politicians who've recently resigned after allegations of sexual misconduct.
Humphreys has not responded to requests from The Associated Press for comment.
___
2:25 p.m.
The University of Oklahoma's student body president is chastising a Board of Regents member who compared gay people to pedophiles.
Student government President J.D. Baker released an open letter Sunday urging the campus to voice its opinion about comments Kirk Humphreys made on a local TV public affairs show over the weekend.
Baker says the comments were "outright disrespectful, out of line and ignorant."
The president of the university's LGBTQ Alumni Society went a step further Monday, calling on Humphreys to resign. Joe Sangirardi says Humphreys serves as a regent to support students, not attack them.
Humphreys made the comments during KFOR-TV's public affairs show. The former Oklahoma City mayor also compared gay people to politicians who've recently resigned after allegations of sexual misconduct.
Humphreys has not responded to requests from The Associated Press for comment.
___
12:15 p.m.
The president of the University of Oklahoma is distancing himself from comments made by a Board of Regents member who compared gay people to pedophiles.
University President David Boren said in a statement Monday that board member and former Oklahoma City Mayor Kirk Humphreys wasn't speaking on behalf of the university.
Boren also says he doesn't share Humphreys' views and that the university is a diverse and inclusive family.
Humphreys made the comments during a local TV public affairs show that aired over weekend on KFOR-TV. He also compared gay people to politicians who've recently resigned after allegations of sexual misconduct.
A staffer at Humphreys' office says he was out of town Monday and unavailable to comment. Humphreys also didn't immediately reply to an email seeking comment from The Associated Press.
___
10:55 a.m.
A former Oklahoma City mayor and member of the University of Oklahoma Board of Regents is being criticized for comparing gay people to pedophiles.
Kirk Humphreys made the comments over the weekend on KFOR-TV's public affairs show. He also compared gay people to politicians who've recently resigned after allegations of sexual misconduct.
LGBTQ advocacy group Freedom Oklahoma has called for his removal from the board if he doesn't apologize. Executive Director Troy Stevenson says Humphreys' comments were disheartening and dangerous for LGBTQ youth who are already harassed and bullied.
A staffer at Humphreys' office said he was out of town Monday and unavailable to comment.
Stevenson said Monday his group will protest an Oklahoma City real estate project that belongs to Humphreys' family business if he doesn't apologize.
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
