OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – Republican Senate candidate Tom Coburn said remarks he made about “rampant” lesbianism in some Oklahoma schools were taken out of context.

He said in a town hall meeting in Hugo on Aug. 31 that a campaign worker had told him that, “lesbianism is so rampant in some of the schools in southeast Oklahoma that they’ll only let one girl go to the bathroom. Now think about it. Think about that issue. How has that happened to us?

“How is it that our leaders aren’t standing up and saying there is a difference between right and wrong and that we need to challenge that.”

His comments were recorded by a state Democratic Party worker who attended the meeting. They were released by the campaign of Brad Carson, Coburn’s Democratic opponent.

Coburn reacted to the issue at a campaign stop in McAlester on Oct. 13.

“Out of context,” Coburn said when asked by a McAlester News-Capital reporter about news stories on his remarks.

He conceded he might have used better terminology at the Hugo meeting, however.

Coburn said he was talking about the impact of obscene material on children. “How do we have a better vision for our children is the real issue,” he said.

John Hart, spokesperson for Coburn, said the remark was made during a broader discussion about the challenges parents face in society “where our kids are getting mixed messages about sexuality.”

Educational officials in Coalgate, Hugo and Oklahoma City say they have not noticed any lesbianism problems.

Meanwhile, Democratic legislators from southeast Oklahoma ridiculed Coburn for the comments.

“To repeat reckless allegations without some sort of proof or fact is reckless and irresponsible and regrettably could have consequences,” said Sen. Jeff Rabon, D-Hugo.

Coburn and Carson are locked in a close Senate race for the Senate post Republican Don Nickles is giving up after 24 years. The race could be pivotal in the battle between Republicans and Democrats for control of the Senate.

Sen. Jay Paul Gumm, D-Durant, said Coburn “apparently doesn’t know anything about families in southeastern Oklahoma or the values we hold dear.”

“If he knew us or shared our values, he would have never said our female high school students are afflicted with ‘rampant lesbianism.’ Our children deserve better than to have repulsive allegations made against them by a politician,” Gumm said.

“It’s one thing to believe this kind of crazy nonsense and even say it publicly, but another thing entirely to use school children as props to make your point,” said Sen. Richard Lerblanche, D-Hartshorne.

Rep. John Carey, D-Durant, called Coburn’s remark “perverse.”

“We need someone to represent us who believes in all of Oklahoma and will build us up, not tear us down with such disgusting attacks,” Carey said.