The vice president of the University of Oklahoma Board of Regents is facing calls for his resignation after he appeared to compare gay people to pedophiles.

During a weekend spot on KFOR’s “Flash Point,” Kirk Humphreys and others were discussing sexual misconduct and the recent spate of resignations in politics when he brought up the topic of homosexuality.

“Is homosexuality right or wrong?” Mr. Humphreys asked. “It’s not relative. There’s a right and wrong, you just said it. So it’s either right or wrong. If it’s OK, then it’s OK for everybody. Quite frankly, it’s OK for men to sleep with little boys, if it’s OK.”

The comments sparked an uproar at the University of Oklahoma and dozens of protesters showed up at Tuesday’s regents meeting demanding the board take action against Mr. Humphreys.

The meeting, however, adjourned without ever mentioning the vice chairman’s comments or acknowledging the protesters, The Oklahoman reported.

Chairman Clay Bennett said in a statement Monday that the board “disagrees” with Mr. Humphreys‘ remarks, but declined to elaborate following Tuesday’s meeting. He said Mr. Humphreys‘ status on the board is “his decision” only.

Mr. Humphreys, who did not attend the meeting, apologized for his comments and said it wasn’t his intention to equate “homosexuality with pedophilia.”

“I apologize for my lack of clarity and realize this has resulted in a strong reaction by some and has hurt people’s feelings,” he told The Oklahoman. “For clarification, my moral stance about homosexuality is that it is against the teachings of Scripture. Although, I know that upsets some people, it is my belief. In America, we have the right to believe as we choose and to freely express that belief.”

Republican Gov. Mary Fallin, who appointed Mr. Humphreys in 2012, called his comments on homosexuality “regrettable and unfortunate,” but said he should keep his position.

“They do not represent my views, nor should they represent those of the University of Oklahoma,” Ms. Fallin said, The Associated Press reported. “Regent Humphreys has apologized, and it is time to move forward.”