A North Carolina county official, faced with criticism that has spread nationwide, says he is standing by his denunciation of gay people as "sexual predators."
"People are entitled to their opinion and that includes me," Mecklenburg County Commissioner Bill James told The Charlotte (N.C.) Observer Thursday. "I don't expect people to agree with me. It's a political discussion and I wouldn't have raised it on my own, but [county board official Jennifer Roberts] decided to wade in on it."
Roberts, chairwoman of the board, had proposed an official letter thanking members of the state congressional delegation who supported the repeal of the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy. Other commissioners objected, and she is sending her own letter.
"Homosexuals are sexual predators," James wrote in an e-mail. "Allowing homosexuals to serve in the U.S. military with the endorsement of the Mecklenburg County Commission ignores a host of serious problems related to maintaining U.S. military readiness and effectiveness, not the least of which is the current Democrat plan to allow homosexuals (male and female) to share showers with those they are attracted to."
There have been nationwide calls for censuring James. A petition for censure totaled more than 1,000 signatures on the Web site change.org.
Roberts said Thursday she has not discussed any possible action against James with the commissioners.