Connecticut lawmaker apologizes for antigay remarks

A Connecticut state senator based in Bristol apologized on Monday for recent published remarks he made about homosexuality, saying he did not mean to offend anyone. Sen. Thomas Colapietro, a Democrat, referred to homosexuality as "a sickness" in an article published Saturday in The Bristol Press about the legislature's debate over same-sex marriage and civil unions. Colapietro told the newspaper that allowing gays and lesbians to marry would not "cure" them. Sen. Andrew McDonald (D-Stamford), who is openly gay, said he was disappointed with the comments of Colapietro and some other members of the Bristol delegation who were quoted in the article, adding that he thought the remarks were misinformed and insensitive. "We may disagree on whether civil unions or gay marriage is good public policy, but the overall tenor of these remarks demonstrates a basic prejudice toward gay and lesbian people that is unacceptable," McDonald said. "That type of bigotry and intolerance has no place in the state legislature." On Monday, Colapietro said he used the wrong word but still believes that homosexuality may be the result of a chemical imbalance. The legislator said he bases that belief on information he once heard from a physician. "I feel bad that using the word 'sickness' upset people like it did. It wasn't meant to hurt anybody's feelings," he said. "It's meant to show that I have high hopes of this becoming a curable thing." Colapietro said he has always supported civil unions. He said he also has gay friends and relatives. (AP)