One request came from the Log Cabin Republicans, a national organization of gay conservatives who called DeMint's position "out of touch."

"At a minimum he should issue a formal apology for the comment," said former Charleston County solicitor David Schwacke, who is gay and leads the Charleston chapter of the Log Cabin group, which has about 50 members.

Schwacke and other Log Cabin Republicans said DeMint has taken a stance that contradicts a view held by Ronald Reagan, who as former governor of California in 1977 spoke out against a ballot initiative that would outlaw hiring gay teachers in that state. Reagan's stance helped create the Log Cabin Republicans as a political outreach for gays.

In a televised debate Sunday, DeMint agreed with the state Republican Party's platform that says openly gay men and women should not be allowed to teach in public schools because it conflicts with what they call South Carolina family values. He advocated a "don't ask, don't tell" policy.

The comment came a week after a DeMint staffer used a slur in an e-mail to refer to a lesbian gay rights leader. DeMint reprimanded the staffer.

Warren Redman-Gress, executive director of the Alliance for Full Acceptance in Charleston, said DeMint's comments during the debate were alarming given that the candidate is chasing conservative votes in his race against Democrat Inez Tenenbaum.

"I really think it's another example of pitting people against one another," he said.

If DeMint opposes gay teachers, Redman-Gress questioned what other stances the three-term congressman from Greenville might endorse if he defeats Tenenbaum, the state's education superintendent, on Nov. 2.

DeMint was campaigning with former House Speaker Dick Armey in Greenville and Columbia on Monday and could not be reached for comment. Armey drew headlines several years ago when he slipped up in front of reporters and called Massachusetts U.S. Rep. Barney Frank "Barney Fag."

DeMint's campaign said he stood by his beliefs and there would be no apology. Spokesman Geoff Embler said a prohibition against hiring openly gay homosexuals as teachers is not something DeMint planned to pursue if he's elected to the Senate.

"He was asked his personal opinion, and he gave it," Embler said.

During the debate, Tenenbaum called the comments "un-American." Her campaign had nothing to add Monday.

Linda Ketner, a South Carolina leader in Democrat Howard Dean's presidential bid, said neither Tenenbaum nor DeMint has been a strong advocate for gay rights in the Senate race. Both support President Bush's federal marriage amendment, which defines marriage as solely between a man and a woman.

Ketner said she didn't know if there would be any political fallout from the controversy, or if DeMint's position would lead to a spike in campaign donations from gay voters to Tenenbaum.

Redman-Gress said DeMint's statement flies in the face of effective gay teachers at the same time that South Carolina schools are struggling and test scores are at the bottom of the nation in some categories.

Additionally, he said DeMint's stance is a violation of civil rights and would prevent the daughter of Republican Vice President Dick Cheney and the sister of former Republican leader Newt Gingrich from teaching here if they chose to. Both are lesbians.

Schwacke, a Republican, said he didn't know if he would vote for DeMint in November. "It makes it difficult to pull that lever," he said.

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