A prominent Springfield, Missouri
attorney has apologized for writing a letter about gay rights he now
calls “harsh.”
In a letter to the Ozark Fire
Department congratulating its recent decision not to extend health
benefits to the spouses of gay employees, Dee Wampler said he was
tired of LGBT rights advocate PROMO's attempts “to cram
homosexuality and lesbians down our throats.”
On Thursday, Wampler apologized, saying
in a statement that he's “man enough” to admit when he's wrong.
“My recent words in support of a
local fire board decision, expressing that view should have been left
unsaid and were harsh and ill-advised,” Wampler
wrote. “I did not intend to personally demean, but I am man
enough to apologize to all those I have offended and I ask all to
accept my apology.”
Wampler's apology also included a
statement of opposition to marriage equality.
Captain Andi Mooneyham had been pushing
for the benefits for her wife Tara Muck. She was one of the people
to receive a letter from Wampler.
The board decided against extending the
benefits on the advice of an attorney, who said they do not have the
authority.