Colorado GOP Rep. Marsha Looper's campaign manager forwarded an email to supporters praising her decision to vote down civil unions. The email revealed that she has a gay son, the Denver Post reports:
It's no secret at the state Capitol that Looper is one of at least four House Republicans with a gay child, but an unwritten courtesy has been to let the lawmaker be the one to publicly reveal that information.
Looper said she has been asked by some voters about her son's sexuality and has answered honestly, but never meant for it to become so public.
"I'm very, very disappointed," Looper said, of the e-mail making its way among El Paso County voters. "These are are very intimate issues. I love my son. I always will. He has said, 'Mom, I want my privacy.'"
Openly gay House Minority Leader Mark Ferrandino, the sponsor of the civil unions bill, asked the Post: "I wonder if her son appreciates being used in this way."
Added Looper in a statement to the paper: "I am disappointed that my campaign manager forwarded an e-mail that would include any member of my family in policy discussions."