Linda Oliver, the mayor of West Union,
South Carolina, has apologized for anti-gay marriage comments she
made on Facebook.
Responding to a North Carolina county
official's recent decision to accept marriage applications from gay
and lesbian couples, Oliver said that “queers” don't need a
marriage license.
“What's it gonna take these queers to
realize they don't need a piece of paper. God will not bless their
union because He plainly speaks against queers in the Bible. Want to
cover your queer with insurance? Buy a policy. Want your queer to
get your stuff when you die? Make a will.”
Oliver initially defended her remarks,
telling Fox
Carolina that she was being “crucified.”
“All I can say is if people want to
crucify me, that's fine. I know that following Jesus, I'm going to
be crucified,” said Oliver, who runs the 300-person town. “I
don't want [gay nuptials] rammed down my throat.”
In a news released from the town's
attorney, member of the West Union town council said that they had
accepted an apology from Oliver.
“These comments were Ms. Oliver's
personal views and were offensive to many people, especially those in
the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community,” the
announcement said.
According
to the AP, Oliver apologized during a meeting held on Friday.
“I did not realize at the time I made
the comments how hurtful they were,” she told the council. “I
hope that those I've injured with my words understand that I did not
intend to be offensive, and I beg them for forgiveness.”