And we thought calling gay folks “sexual deviants” was so yester-decade in these parts. Apparently not.

There is controversy and commotion in Metro’s Board of Directors, where Maryland member Robert Smith called gay people “sexual deviants” on a cable access show last week, reports the Washington Blade. Council-member Jim Graham (D-Ward 1), who is gay and serves on Metro’s board, has demanded that Smith resign. After a June 15 meeting where Graham raised the issue of the comments, Smith dug his grave deeper, according to the article:

After the meeting, Smith told reporters that Graham’s characterization of his view of gays and homosexuality was accurate.

“It’s one simple comment that homosexual behavior, in my view, is deviant and his quote on that — that was a correct characterization of the TV show,” Smith said.

Asked if he considered it a bigoted remark, Smith said, “No, I don’t. I’m a Roman Catholic and I have certain views on homosexuality that people in this country don’t have. I respect that they have a different view. I have mine.”

Smith, who was appointed by Maryland Governor Robert Ehrlich, has so far refused to resign.

Update: Looking to diffuse this brewing controversy, Ehrlich has apparently replaced Smith. And from what we gather, Smith won’t be heading out in Dupont Circle anytime soon. We hear that sexual deviancy is contagious.