CYPRESS : Partin Apologizes for Remark on Gays

City Councilman Richard Partin apologized Tuesday night for an anti-homosexual remark he made last week at a meeting of the Orange County division of the League of California Cities.

Partin’s remark about slain San Francisco Supervisor Harvey Milk, who was openly gay, came while members debated whether to hold the league’s annual state convention in San Francisco. Several Orange County officials had objected to that idea because San Francisco was declared a sanctuary for conscientious objectors to the Persian Gulf War.

“I thought when they killed Milk they would finally put some men back on board,” Partin said last week.

On Tuesday, Partin said he deeply regretted making the remark and asked for the public to forgive him. “I have hurt myself and my family and probably the City Council,” Partin said at a meeting called specifically to address his comment. “I made a remark that I was instantly sorry I made.”

Besides the public apology, which Partin will repeat at the council’s Monday meeting, he wrote letters of apology to all cities in Orange County, the League of Cities and gay rights groups.

“My remarks about the late Harvey Milk were unjustified and without foundation and I regret the utterance,” states a letter addressed to Ron Bates, president of the League of Cities.

On Tuesday, Partin said the comment was not directed at Milk but rather, to the “liberal permissive environment in San Francisco.”

He added that he is not anti-homosexual, but does not agree with their lifestyle. “They have their lifestyle, which I don’t agree with,” Partin said.

Jeff LeTourneau, chairman of the Orange County Visibility League, a gay rights group, had called for Partin to either apologize for the remark or resign. On Tuesday, LeTourneau said he was satisfied.

“The council members have all acted very responsibly,” he said. If something good can come out of this we will be all better off.”

Partin’s apology also pleased Councilwoman Gail H. Kerry, who had suggested Partin’s remark should cost him his honorary title of mayor pro tem. “I think if the people are content with this, that is all we can do,” Kerry said.