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CHARLOTTE – A controversial issue turned into name calling at Tuesday night’s Mecklenburg County Commission meeting, when Commissioner Bill James made what many are calling a derogatory remark about another commissioner’s dead son.

The group was debating whether Mecklenburg County should provide same-sex domestic partner benefits to county employees. During the debate, the following exchange occurred:

"To think about the son that I birthed, that died of AIDS, and I did not know that in 2010 I would be sitting here to defend that process, and his lifestyle,” said Commissioner Vilma Leake. “So I stand gloriously to vote for this issue.”

While some in the crowd applauded, James can be heard saying to Leake: “Your son was a homo? Really?”

To which Leake responded: “Don't make me hurt you. Don't do that to me. Don't talk to me about my son."

The altercation was brief and the meeting continued, but a day later many are calling for an apology no matter which way they voted.

"There is really no call for that kind of discrimination here in Mecklenburg County -- I think our vote last night showed that,” said commission chair, Jennifer Roberts. “I think it also shows there is still some prejudice and some bias and some misunderstanding about the gay and lesbian population."

Responded Commissioner Neil Cooksey: “I wish he did not make a remark because I think it did distract the public and the news media from the real story which is the county last night decided to spend a half million dollars of tax payer dollars to provide benefits to as few as 60 or as many as 120 county employees."

In the meantime, Leake says she’ll be waiting for James’ apology.

“I really regret that he did that in public,” she said. “That’s his profile and I pray for him, but I can’t forget what he said.”

James, a Republican, has not returned News 14 Carolina’s calls for comment. Cooksey is also a Republican, while Leake and Roberts are both Democrats. The board as a whole voted 6-3 in favor of offering the benefits to same-sex domestic partners.