I just got off the phone with Lt. Governor Jennifer Carroll. Her chief of staff faxed her written apology and the Lt. Governor called to personally apologize for the words she used in refuting allegations brought by former staffer. In addition, Carroll expressed her appreciation for the opportunity to communicate her commitment to treating everyone with respect and dignity. She invited Equality Florida to reach out to her office if she could be of assistance and I offered our organization as a resource as well.
On behalf of Equality Florida, I want to thank Lt. Governor Carroll for taking responsibility for her words and for responding to the harm those words inflicted.
Apologies by elected leaders for public mistakes are rare and it is to the Lt. Governor's credit that she has taken this step.
In Florida, which has no statewide legal protections from discrimination for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender residents, the words of our elected leaders matter a great deal.
TEXT OF THE LT. GOVERNOR'S APOLOGY
OFFICE OF LT GOV
JENNIFER CARROLL
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
July 26, 2012
PAGE 01/01
Nadine Smith
Equality Florida
Executive Director
P.O. Box 13184
St. Petersburg, FL 33733
Dear Nadine:
I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincerest apologies to anyone I
may have offended with my recent comment. It is wrong and inexcusable to make a
comment that hurts people, and that was not my intention. As a Christian, my faith
guides me to love and respect all people. The false charges that have been lodged
against me are no excuse for what I have said that may have been hurtful to members
of your organization and to other Floridians. Please know that I am committed to
treating every person with the utmost courtesy, respect and dignity and I hope you will
accept my heartfelt apology.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Carroll
Lieutenant Governor