Florida Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll (R)
Florida Lieutenant Governor and Romney surrogate Jennifer Carroll (R) is walking back a comment she made in regards to accusations that she had a sexual relationship with one of her female aides. After vehemently denying the affair, the married mother of three quipped, “Black women that look like me don’t engage in relationships like that.”
Equality Florida and GLAAD launched a petition demanding Carrol apologize for the sexist and anti-gay comment implying that her marital status and physical appearance somehow prevented her from being capable of having an affair with a woman. Sure enough, the lieutenant governor faxed her apology to Equality Florida’s Executive Director Nadine Smith:
I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincerest apologies to anyone I may have offended with my recent comment. 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 lodged 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.
Smith released a statement thanking Carroll for taking responsibility, adding that the lieutenant governor called her to personally apologize. Carroll’s original comment was met with criticism from black women and the LGBT community, igniting a social media campaign and the petition.
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