© 2025 WFSU Public Media
WFSU News · Tallahassee · Panama City · Thomasville
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
WFSU-FM is currently broadcasting at reduced power. We apologize for this inconvenience. And remember, you can stream or listen to WFSU on the App.

Baxley Apologizes For 'Two Mommies' Comment

Florida House of Representatitves
Rep. Dennis Baxley during a 2012 committee hearing

Rep. Dennis Baxley (R-Ocala) is apologizing for comments he made that gay rights activists say disparage same-sex couples.

During a House committee meeting earlier this month, Baxley attempted to communicate the concerns of a teacher who he said, had told him about the issues facing many of the students in her classroom:

“This child has several men coming to the house, this one has two mommies, this one has an abusive father," Baxley explained.

But the reference to “two mommies” comment was immediately frowned upon by the group Equality Florida. On its blog, the group called that comment disparaging and outrageous and called on Baxley to apologize. He did, in a statement.

When reached by phone, Baxley said, “Well, I don’t deny that I may need some sensitivity training.”   

He added he didn’t mean to insult gay parents, and says his own convictions differ about  what makes the best families, but,“that doesn’t mean no one else has the right to speak or to present and I’ll defend their right to do so.” 

Follow @HatterLynn

Lynn Hatter is a Florida A&M University and Florida State University graduate with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a master's in Professional Communication. Lynn has been with WFSU since 2007 with education and health care issues as her key coverage areas.  She has worked with several organizations, including Kaiser Health News.  Lynn has also partnered with USC-Annenberg's Center for Child Wellbeing on the nationally acclaimed series "Committed," which explored the prevalence of involuntary commitment use on children.
She serves on the board of RTDNA and the United Way of the Big Bend, with previous service on the board of the First Amendment Foundation of Florida.

Find complete bio, contact info, and more stories here.