Evangelical leader quits over gay remark

WASHINGTON, Dec. 12 (UPI) -- A prominent evangelical lobbyist has resigned his post over his remarks of support for same-sex civil unions, The Washington Post says.

The Rev. Richard Cizik, vice president for governmental affairs for the National Association of Evangelicals, said in a Dec. 2 National Public Radio interview that his outlook on same-sex marriage was "shifting, I have to admit. In other words, I would willingly say that I believe in civil unions."

The remark caused a predictable uproar among evangelical Christians, who say that the Bible permits marriage only between a man and a woman.

The Rev. Leith Anderson, president of the 30 million-member NAE, told the Post Cizik apologized for the remark but, "He lost the leadership's confidence as spokesman and that's hard to regain."