Liston: ‘Sluts’ remark wrong

DENVER - Representative Larry Liston apologized Thursday for characterizing young, unwed parents as “sluts,” saying his comment was made out of frustration and was not meant to hurt feelings.

Liston was deluged with phone calls and e-mails and was criticized by several female Democratic legislators the day after he made his remark at a Republican legislative caucus. The Colorado Springs Republican defended his underlying sentiment that society should shame teenage boys and girls who are having children, but conceded his use of a derogatory term was inappropriate.

“If I’ve said something that offended somebody, I’m sorry, because we all say things and don’t always think about them,” Liston said in an interview. “It was not directed at any one group or individual, and I think I’ve learned a lesson.”

Liston launched into an emotionally charged speech Wednesday when GOP legislators were discussing Colorado’s high teen pregnancy rate. He said pregnant teens were shunned in his parents’ day and he finished by saying: “They’re sluts. And I don’t just mean the women. I mean the men, too.”

The incident was the third embarrassing episode for House members this year. Colorado Springs Republican Rep. Douglas Bruce kicked a news photographer Jan. 14 and later received the first censure in House history. Last Friday, Assistant Majority Leader Michael Garcia, D-Aurora, resigned amid allegations he exposed himself to a lobbyist at a bar.

House leaders did not take action on Liston’s comments, as they did the other two incidents. But some legislators were angry.

Rep. Debbie Stafford, D-Aurora, cut out several copies of a story about the comments and taped them in the back of stalls in the women’s bathroom nearest the House floor.

“I just believe the best way we can help people is to love them,” said Stafford, a youth pastor. “If we put a scarlet letter on people’s chests, how does that help them?”

Stafford said many sexually abused children act out sexually as teens and that calling a group of young people sluts without knowing or understanding their circumstances was terribly offensive to her.

Nikki Molinar of Milliken wrote in an e-mail that her teenage motherhood had scared her off drugs and set her life in the right direction. “How dare you decide what people are or are not!” she wrote to Liston.

A number of callers agreed with Liston. “Why should my tax money go to lazy, stupid and irresponsible people?” Colorado Springs resident Bob Gutkowski told The Gazette before contacting Liston.

The four women in the House Republican Caucus issued a statement calling the comments “inappropriate and unacceptable” and saying his language “distracted from an important caucus discussion of meaningful health care reform.” Minority Caucus Chairwoman Amy Stephens, R-Monument, said party members won’t punish him beyond his upbraiding and accepted his apology.

CONTACT THE WRITER: (303) 837-0613 or ed.sealover@gazette.com