Bachmann: Boy used to advance 'agenda'

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C., Dec. 8 (UPI) -- U.S. GOP presidential hopeful Michele Bachmann said it was "reprehensible" to have a boy tell her at a public event his mother is gay and "doesn't need fixing."

Bachmann was responding to a YouTube video that has been viewed by more than 3.1 million people in which a boy identified as an 8-year-old named Elijah is encouraged to say something to the Minnesota congresswoman, USA Today reports.

The video, recorded last week as Bachmann signed copies of her book in Myrtle Beach, S.C., and titled "Activist Elijah with Michele Bachmann," shows Bachmann moving closer to the boy after she's unable to hear what he said.

Elijah then whispers in her ear, "My mommy's gay and she doesn't need fixing."

Bachmann said on CNN Wednesday the boy "obviously didn't want to say what he was put up to say, and I just think it's reprehensible when someone uses a little child to advance a political agenda."

She said she is "very unashamed" of her opposition to same-sex marriage and believes marriage should be between a man and a woman.