This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Tallahassee, Fla. • Florida Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll says she is sorry she offended lesbians when she said black women who engage in those relationships don't look like her.
Carroll apologized Thursday, more than a week after making the implication that black lesbians aren't attractive. She was responding to accusations from a former staffer that she once saw Carroll in "a compromising position" with a female travel aide.
The fired staffer, Carletha Cole, made the allegations in a criminal case against her. Cole is charged with secretly taping a conversation with Carroll's chief of staff. She then allegedly gave the tape to a newspaper reporter.
Carroll said in the apology to Equality Florida that it is wrong to make statements that hurt people. She has repeatedly denied Cole's claims.