Ex-mayor apologizes for LGBTQ comments
Pressure mounted Monday on former Oklahoma City Mayor Kirk Humphreys to resign as vice chairman of the University of Oklahoma Board of Regents following his controversial remarks on a Sunday morning talk show.
Humphreys was criticized by gay rights leaders and others who accused him of comparing homosexuals to pedophiles during an exchange with state Rep. Emily Virgin, D-Norman, on KFOR's "Flash Point."
The two and moderator Kevin Ogle were discussing sexual harassment and the recent resignations of several politicians when Humphreys brought up Barney Frank, suggesting Virgin was defending theopenly gay former U.S. representative. He also mentioned Ralph Shortey, a disgraced former state senator who pleaded guilty to child sex trafficking after he was found in a motel room with a 17-year-old boy.
Humphreys: "Is homosexuality right or wrong? It's not relative. There's a right and wrong, you just said it. So it's either right or wrong. If it's OK then it's OK for everybody. Quite frankly, it's OK for men to sleep with little boys, if it's OK."
During another exchange, Humphreys said: "All I'm saying is there's a right and a wrong."
Virgin: "I'm not saying homosexuality is wrong."
Humphreys: "Well, I do."
Reached Monday, Virgin said Humphreys should resign.
"It is clear his remarks have been very hurtful to the LGBTQ community at OU," the lawmaker said in a text. "I’ve heard from many students and their main concern is that Mr. Humphreys, who is set to become chair of the Board, will have an important role in selecting the next President of the University.
"The bottom line is that OU students need to feel welcome at their university, whether gay or straight, black or white, religious or not. Regent Humphreys’ statements about the LGBTQ community fly in the face of the inclusiveness that makes the university setting a special and welcoming place."
In a statement, OU President David Boren said Humphreys "was speaking as an individual and not on behalf of the university or me."
"I do not share his views on this matter," the statement read. "The university strongly reaffirms and takes great pride in its commitment to a welcoming, diverse and inclusive community which respects people of all backgrounds. We value and respect all members of our university family."
Late Monday, Humphreys said he regretted his comments, telling The Oklahoman he didn't mean to equate "homosexuality with pedophilia."
"That was not my intention or desire," he said in a text. "I apologize for my lack of clarity and realize this has resulted in a strong reaction by some and has hurt people's feelings.
"For clarification, my moral stance about homosexuality is that it is against the teachings of Scripture. Although, I know that upsets some people, it is my belief. In America, we have the right to believe as we choose and to freely express that belief."
Freedom Oklahoma Director Troy Stevenson called for Humphreys to resign from the board of regents and his position as chairman of the board of John Rex Charter Elementary School in Oklahoma City.
Stevenson said Humphreys' statements were "completely shocking."
"To compare gay men — and specifically Congressman Barney Frank — to pedophiles and sexual predators is a step way too far," Stevenson said in a statement. "LGBTQ youth are subjected to horrific harassment, intimidation, and bullying on a daily basis, and having bias and hate validated by a public official and leader like Mayor Humphreys is disheartening and frankly dangerous.
"I hope the former mayor knows the abuse of those kids increases every time someone like him makes a hateful statement — like he did (Sunday) morning."
Joe Pierce, head of school for John Rex, said the school is proud to offer a "supportive and inclusive environment for students and families with many different backgrounds, ethnicities and opinions."
"The views expressed by individual board members are their personal opinions," Pierce said in a statement. "We have always and will always welcome students based solely on our attendance boundary zone and four-tiered priority enrollment system." Humphreys’ son, Blair, is the managing director and developer of the Wheeler District, a new development southwest of Oklahoma City anchored by a Ferris wheel near the Oklahoma River.
Stevenson said Blair Humphreys reached out to him on Monday following his father’s comments.
"He rebuked his father’s statement in the email he sent to me and we are going to be meeting this week," Stevenson said.
In a statement provided to The Oklahoman, Blair Humphreys said his father’s comments did not reflect the values of the Wheeler District, which just broke ground on the first phase of homes that will make up much of the development.
"We sincerely apologize for the hurtful and unfair comments that have been associated with our work at the Wheeler District,” the statement read. "I and the Wheeler District team believe firmly in creating a diverse and inclusive community. We have welcomed all voices in planning an urban neighborhood where everyone feels safe and appreciated. As such, we have reached out to members of the LGBTQ community to see how we can continue to make Wheeler an even more welcoming place for people of all backgrounds."
In a statement, OU Board of Regents Chairman Clay Bennett said the panel "disagrees" with Humphreys' remarks.
"The Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma is charged with the honorable duty of care and loyalty to our beloved institution. We take great pride in the value of the many diverse perspectives, backgrounds and experiences of our students, faculty and professional staff," the statement read.
"The Board disagrees with the recent public statements made by Regent Kirk Humphreys regarding homosexuality and we reiterate our commitment to fairness and inclusion throughout the University community."
The regents are scheduled to meet Tuesday afternoon in Oklahoma City. A student protest is planned.
J.D. Baker, the university's student body president, urged fellow students to hold Humphreys accountable for his words.
"OU has many, many students, faculty and staff who proudly identify as LGBTQ. We have an expectation of our leaders to be respectful of all members of the OU community," Baker said in a social media post. "Regent Humphreys' comments fail to show the respect that every human being deserves."
The comments, Baker continued, "do not align with the spirit of our student body. Because of this, I believe it would be best to question his ability to lead."
Joe Sangirardi, president and founder of the university's LGBTQ Alumni Society, also urged Humphreys to resign.
"Mr. Humphreys insulted me by equating my expression of love to sexual abuse," Sangirardi said in a statement. "He demeaned OU staff, students, faculty, and alumni in the most unOklahoman way possible.
"These ignorant comments are unacceptable from a member of the Board of Regents. Mr. Humphreys serves on the board to support OU's students, not attack them."