Maine State Rep. Lawrence Lockman (R) this week walked back his past remarks comparing legal abortion to the idea of letting men rape women, according to the Morning Sentinel.
In 1995, when he was part of the Pro Life Education Association, Lockman wrote in a letter, “If a woman has [the right to an abortion], why shouldn’t a man be free to use his superior strength to force himself on a woman? At least the rapist’s pursuit of sexual freedom doesn’t [in most cases] result in anyone’s death.”
He also said in a past press clipping that progressives were exacerbating the AIDS epidemic by telling “the public that the practice of sodomy is a legitimate alternative lifestyle, rather than a perverted and depraved crime against humanity.”
This week, after progressive blogger Mike Tipping reported on the comments, and local Democrats called on him to resign, Lockman released a statement saying he regrets his remarks.
“I have always been passionate about my beliefs, and years ago I said things that I regret,” the lawmaker said Wednesday, according to the Morning Sentinel. “I hold no animosity toward anyone by virtue of their gender or sexual orientation, and today I am focused on ensuring freedom and economic prosperity for all Mainers.”
(Photo credit: Representative Lawrence E Lockman’s Facebook page.)
