A Democrat on the Maryland city council who equated Muslims who oppose an LGBTQ-based curriculum with white supremacists apologized on Sunday and promised to “seek room for understanding” in the future.

Democratic Party Christine Mink The Montgomery County 5th District Council on June 11 lashed out at opposition to a new policy that would not allow parents to opt their children out of classes focused on LGBTQ issues and themes, citing members of the Muslim community. apologized to

On June 6, several members of the Muslim community testified before the council about their concerns about the new policy, but Mink dismissed religious objections to LGBTQ topics and issues, saying that the policy would uphold their religious rights. claimed no infringement. “Just as we cannot allow people to opt out of being taught about evolution, we can allow them to be taught about evolution,” Mink said at the time.

Mink added that the opposition expressed by some Muslim families over LGBTQ-based classes puts them on the same side of the issue as white supremacists and outright bigots. according to Clip of video journalist Ford Fisher.

“I regret that my remarks have created opportunities for misunderstanding and mischaracterization, even though my remarks were focused on promoting inclusion,” Mink said. I have written In an apology posted on Twitter. “I apologize for the hurt I have caused to the Muslim community.”

“I am dedicated to finding space to foster genuine dialogue and explore points of understanding, even when individuals disagree on difficult issues. I heard from members and on Thursday I heard from Muslim leaders in District 5. I listened and I understand their concerns,” she said, adding that both the Muslim and LGBTQ communities He added that he looked forward to working with them to address the issue.

On Tuesday, June 6th, I spoke at a Montgomery County Board of Education meeting about inclusive education and whether families should be allowed to opt their children out of curriculum materials that contain LGBTQIA. I regret that my remarks were focused on promoting inclusion. pic.twitter.com/XP4GzvKMpn

— City Councilman Kristin Mink (@CMKristinMink) June 11, 2023

Mink resigned from a left-wing group called Rights for Liberty in 2019 before becoming a city councilor, emailing former colleagues that the group was “too white” for his tastes at the executive level. reportedly told.

“It is very difficult for me to write this…I am also not happy with the state of our organization…If black and brown voices are given seats in the executive board, I will gladly do it again.” will participate,” Mink wrote at the time, according to Fox News.

Arguing that the organization’s representation by white women leads to credibility issues, Mink went on to argue that speakers at the organization’s events “need to be transnational and multiracial.” . White people … should be in the minority, but for good reason,” Mink said, she reported.

“Of course, in a field focused on dismantling systemic racism and confronting white supremacy, it’s ironic to see both in some organizations that ostensibly do so. [Folks] You should know better in such a space, right? According to Fox News, she wrote: (Related: Target fund organization pushes for shutdown of Mount Rushmore as ‘symbol of white supremacy’)

Mink’s apology to the Islamic community comes two days after the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) condemned her remarks as “offensive and dangerous” and called on the lawmaker to publicly apologize for her remarks. was broken

“It is a deep insult and disrespect to use public space in school board hearings to attempt to associate Muslim voters with the same white supremacist groups that frequently threaten our own existence and well-being. ,” said CAIR. said.

CAIR said it was seeking an apology from Mink “to repair some of the damage” his remarks had done to the community.