Clint McCance, the school board member from Midland, Ark., who recently encouraged gays to kill themselves on his Facebook page, said Thursday night on CNN that he plans to resign his seat:

“I’m sorry I’ve hurt people with my comments,” McCance told CNN’s Anderson Cooper. “I’m sorry I made those ignorant comments and hurt people on a broad spectrum. …

“I would never support suicide for any kids,” McCance said. “I don’t support bullying of any kids.”

“The words I used were unfortunate … but they can’t be taken back,” he said. “All I can do now is extend my apologies for my poor speech.”

Read the full story by going here.

Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese issued the following statement:

“Clint McCance’s decision to resign from the school board is a step forward for the community he represents. We are hopeful the wounds that were inflicted will soon be healed. What remains troubling is that Mr. McCance focused his regret on particular word choices not the animus behind those words. We hope he will take this time to reflect not only on the language he used but on what he can do to make the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning young people better.”