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SF Gay Activists Surprised At Word Of Massachusettes Dems Heckling Gay GOP Staffer

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) -- Gay rights activists in the San Francisco Bay Area are reacting with surprise to reports on Twitter that supporters of Elizabeth Warren, the Democratic Massachusetts senate candidate who is a longtime supporter of gay and lesbian rights, taunted a gay staff member working for her Republican opponent.

The heckling incident is said to have occurred after a debate between Warren and incumbent U.S. Senator Scott Brown.

Here's the item that's being re-tweeted by Brown supporters: "Last night Ross Hemminger, Youth Coordinator for the Scott Brown for Senate campaign, was heckled by pro-Warren supporters at the Brown-Warren debate. A source at the event told me that the hecklers were union members who were organized by the Warren campaign for a "stand-out." The incident happened when Hemminger started chanting "Go, Scott, go!" on the megaphone. The Warren supporerts chanted back "You sound gay!" A few others chimed in "You take it up the a**!"

A political activist blog site also claims to have obtained a copy of a letter from Warren's campaign manager to Hemminger apologizing for the incident and condemning the hecklers' "shameful" behavior.

Warren has promised, if elected, to be a leader in Congress on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights. She also was among a chorus of voices within the Democratic party who pushed President Obama to endorse same-sex marriage.

(Copyright 2012 CBS San Francisco. All rights reserved.)

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