On religious grounds, Dunne skipped a thirty-point question on the exam that specifically mentioned a married lesbian couple, leaving him with a score of 268.866, with 270.0 required to pass. He then filed a federal lawsuit against the state, representing himself, seeking $9.75 million in damages. The suit, which also challenged the constitutionality of same-sex marriage, recognized in Massachusetts since 2003, called the question part of a push of "Secular Humanism's homosexual agenda."

The suit was discontinued in September.

"I am deeply sorry for the hurt that I have caused the gay community," Dunne writes in a letter to LGBT publication Bay Windows. An Irish immigrant, Dunne says he began to see parallels between discrimination gays face today and that which Irish Americans have faced in the past.

Text of the letter, courtesy of Bay Windows, appears below. A copy of this letter, along with a follow-up interview, can be read at Bay Windows.

#

Apology To Gay Community

I am writing this letter to apologize to the gay community for been an instrument of bigotry and prejudice. By filing a misguided federal lawsuit against the State of Massachusetts in respect to the legitimacy of same-sex marriage, I have regrettably perpetuated intolerance and animosity towards my fellow Americans. My religiously based discrimination of gay people was callous and diametrically opposed to Americašs core principles of freedom and equality.

In hindsight, my opposition to same-sex marriage based on purely religious grounds was categorically and indisputably wrong. I am deeply sorry for the hurt that I have caused the gay community as a whole and I am particularly regretful of my actions towards those gay and lesbian friends that I befriended and studied alongside during my three years of law school. You are all wonderful people and loving parents and I am profoundly sorry for having insulted you and your families. Please accept this letter as a sincere apology for my lashing out as a result of failing the bar exam. The only correct answer is to stop demonizing gay people on the grounds of religion and embrace and love all members of the American family, regardless of sexual orientation.

At the end of the day, we are all fellow citizens, we are all are equals, sharing the same hopes, troubles, and dreams. I hope you have room in your heart to accept my apology.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays,

Stephen Dunne

#