State Rep. Marsha Looper’s campaign manager forwarded an e-mail to supporters that praised the lawmaker for voting against civil unions even though she has a gay son.

It’s no secret at the state Capitol that Looper is one of at least four House Republicans with a gay child, but an unwritten courtesy has been to let the lawmaker be the one to publicly reveal that information.

Looper said she has been asked by some voters about her son’s sexuality and has answered honestly, but never meant for it to become so public.

“I’m very, very disappointed,” Looper said, of the e-mail making its way among El Paso County voters. “These are are very intimate issues. I love my son. I always will. He has said, ‘Mom, I want my privacy.'”

Looper, of Calhan, faces Rep. Amy Stephens, of Monument, in the June 26 primary after they were drawn into the same House district during last year’s reapportionment, s parking a contentious inter-party battle over which candidate has conservative credentials.

During last year’s session, when another civil unions bill was introduced, Looper appeared supportive as long as it was not gay marriage. This year, she has been adamantly opposed to civil unions.

Looper’s son lives out of state and was unavailable for comment.

“I wonder if her son appreciates being used in this way,” said House Minority Leader Mark Ferrandino, a gay Denver Democrat who co-sponsored the civil unions measure .

Looper said she doesn’t know who wrote the e-mail, which was forwarded by her campaign manager, Lana Fore-Warkocz, last month.

“I am disappointed that my campaign manager forwarded an e-mail that would include any member of my family in policy discussions,” Looper said in a statement she issued today after being contacted by The Denver Post.

“My opinions, financials and policies are appropriate discussions for the campaign, however my family members’ personal lives are not a legitimate avenue for my campaign, or any other campaign to discuss.”

The e-mail discusses the civil unions bills introduced during the session.

It notes that Looper, during the House Appropriations Committee hearing on May 8, successfully amended Senate Bill 2 “to protect religious organizations and different kinds of counselors from harm for disagreeing with the civil unions provisions had it passed. (Praise God!)”

“God is truly to be praised for Marsha Looper because she also has a homosexual son,” the e-mail reads.

Looper voted against the bill in committee, but did not mention her son. None of the reporters covering the hearing mentioned it either.

Late that night, the bill died on the Republican-controlled House floor without a debate or a vote, sparking an intense showdown between supporters and opponents on what was the second to last day of the session.

During a special session the following week, the bill died in its first committee hearing. At that time, Rep. Don Coram, R-Montrose, announced he was voting against the bill although he has a gay son.

“He voted against civil unions to uphold the will of Colorado voters,” the e-mail said. “(Praise God!)”

Stephens, the House majority leader, has opposed civil unions legislation, saying backers should to take it to the voters in November and see if there is as much support as they believe there is.

Stephens said she has no comment on the e-mail.

Lynn Bartels: 303-954-5327 or lbartels@denverpost.com