AUGUSTA (AP) – The leader of the Christian Civic League of Maine apologized Wednesday for a Web site item asking supporters for information about the sexual orientation of legislators and other political leaders.

Executive Director Michael Heath’s apology was issued amid sharply worded condemnations for his action by legislative leaders from both parties and by Gov. John Baldacci, who called it “an offense of the highest order.”

Heath said the Web item had been removed and he was no longer seeking such information on lawmakers. He offered “an unqualified apology” while accepting full responsibility for his actions.

In his daily newsletter last Friday, Heath asked supporters for “tips, rumors, speculation and facts” about the sexual orientation of legislators and other political leaders, so the league could post the information on its Internet site.

Heath said he would write about political leaders’ sexual orientation because it is of “fundamental importance” in the debate over issues involving sexuality. The group recently lost a fight for a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage.

In a speech on the House floor the day news of the Web item appeared, Majority Leader John Richardson, D-Brunswick, said Heath’s action “represents an all-time low in Maine politics.”

“It is hurtful, it is destructive and it has no place in Maine politics,” said Richardson, who also praised Republicans for condemning the action.

“I think it’s important we all stand together on this one,” said House Minority Leader Joe Bruno, R-Raymond. “Your private life is your private life and I don’t want to know about it.”

The lone Green party member serving in the Legislature, Rep. John Eder of Portland, also stood to denounce the league action.

In a written statement, Democratic Gov. John Baldacci said the intent of any lists “can only be to destroy careers – the most insidious form of discrimination.” He called the league action “an offense of the highest order deserving all of the condemnation I can muster.”

Heath said another league official had warned him before the notice went up that it might not be a good idea, but he insisted. “I did go a lot too far in the heat of the moment,” Heath said.

A day before the strong response from the State House, Heath said he was not out to embarrass people, adding that “this isn’t a witch hunt, but this is about sexual orientation in terms of what is going on as it pertains to public policy.”

Betsy Smith of the Maine Lesbian Gay Political Alliance said the league’s action was “all about outing, and in this day and age, it doesn’t matter anymore what someone’s sexual orientation is.”

Rep. Scott Cowger, D-Hallowell, who is openly gay, said it is wrong for any organization to be “outing people” because it is up to officials to decide for themselves whether they want to reveal such information.

He said it is wrong to assume that people vote based on their sexual orientation, noting that he voted for a state law that bans same-sex marriage.

Spokesmen for other religious organizations that oppose same-sex marriage were divided on the league’s proposal.

Paul Volle, executive director of the Christian Coalition of Maine, said the public has a right to know about any bias that state officials bring to public issues. He said national polls show that Americans are solidly opposed to same-sex marriage, and that the league’s plan makes sense because “the people are with us but the Legislature is not.”

Marc Mutty, a spokesman for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland, said he had “a real problem with making these issues personal.” He said religious organizations in particular should be “extremely careful in how we portray people.”

AP-ES-03-10-04 1425EST