Iowa Republicans outraged by UI professor's response to email

A University of Iowa professor who studies same-sex relationships was so upset by a mass email from a campus Republican group promoting "Conservative Coming Out Week" that she fired off a vulgarity aimed at all Republicans.

Ellen Lewin's response on Monday to the College Republicans' email has outraged the student group and at least one legislator.

Lewin later wrote back to explain she had just finished reading about "fresh outrages committed by Republicans in government" when she received the pitch. She acknowledged her language was inappropriate and apologized "for any affront to anyone's delicate sensibilities."

But she also complained that the GOP email used the "coming out" language given their disdain for gay rights, and mocked Wisconsin labor protesters and animal rights.