A North Carolina state legislator has come under fire for sending his fellow Republicans an e-mail message that referred to gay people as "queers" and "fruitloops."
State Rep. Larry Brown was responding to an e-mail message that House Minority Leader Paul Stam sent to members of his caucus about House Speaker Joe Hackney getting an award from the Equality North Carolina Foundation, a gay-rights group. Brown sent his reply to nearly 60 e-mail addresses.
"I hope all the queers are thrilled to see him," said the message, dated Sept. 27. "I am sure there will be a couple legislative fruitloops there in the audience."
Ian Palmquist, executive director of Equality North Carolina, said Brown should apologize.
"I think it's disgusting to see a member of the legislature talking about his own constituents and fellow North Carolinians that way," Palmquist said. "I would hope that he would apologize and his colleagues would speak out about that kind of bigotry."
Brown, a Kernersville Republican in his third term, did not return telephone calls Tuesday. He is running unopposed for re-election next month.
He may soon have all the Froot Loops he can eat.
For each donation of at least $5, Equality North Carolina plans to deliver boxes of the multi-colored cereal to Brown's legislative office. Each box will come with a message to Brown from the donor.
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