BISMARCK, N.D. — A North Dakota Republican state lawmaker is defending a Facebook post in which he called the recent Supreme Court ruling on same-sex marriage a victory for the mentally ill.

Rep. Dwight Kiefert of Valley City tells KOVC-AM that his post was taken out of context. He says he was trying to invite a discussion about whether homosexuality is a mental illness.

The post, which has since been deleted, is here:

Kiefert did not return telephone calls from The Associated Press seeking comment.

Sen. Kelly Armstrong is chairman of the North Dakota Republican Party. He says “Kiefert’s thoughts are not the party’s thoughts.”

Kiefert was among the most vocal of lawmakers who objected to having a Muslim lead prayers at the Capitol on Ash Wednesday this year.

Armstrong says Kiefert’s “rants don’t serve the public good.”

© 2015, Associated Press, All Rights Reserved.

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Article continues below