Assemblyman apologizes for 'gaybirds' post

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JERSEY CITY, N.J., Jan. 16 (UPI) -- A state legislator in New Jersey has apologized for a Facebook posting calling the Dallas Cowboys the "Cowgirls" and the Philadelphia Eagles "those gaybirds."

The (Jersey City) Jersey Journal reported Assemblyman Charles Mainor, a Jersey City police detective who represents the 31st legislative district in the state Assembly, posted a message Sunday night on his Facebook wall that read: "We are not going to just lay down, we come to play. Who the hell do you think we are the DALLAS COWGIRLS OR THOSE GAYBIRDS FROM PHILLY...NO WE ARE THE NEW YORK GIANTS."

The message was posted during the New York Giants-Green Bay Packers game

Mainor, a Democrat, apologized but said a friend wrote the "gaybirds from Philly" comment as they watched the game at a party, the Journal said.

"I have to take full responsibility because it was under my name," he said. "I have no excuse, other than me not looking before he did send the post."

Steven Goldstein, chairman and chief executive officer of gay-rights group Garden State Equality, said Mainor's comments were "inadvisable" and "hurt a lot of people."

But Goldstein added: "I don't believe, from what I know of Assemblyman Mainor, that they reflect any deep prejudice on his part. He is a good and decent man who made an unfortunate misstep here."

Mainor said he hopes constituents don't construe the Facebook posting to mean he doesn't support gay rights.

"I have very, very close relatives who are gay," he said. "I have nothing against them. I'm far from that."