The non-apology apology combined with the conditional IF to subtly blame the victim.
"Mistakes were made."
"I'm sorry I hit you and busted your jaw BUT YOU made me so mad!"
Non-apology apologies on a spectrum of non-apologies.
Oh, what the hell, I'll post what I was thinking just before I read your OP.
What she said:
In a recent interview I was asked about the recent tragedies about gay youth who have committed suicide, and I misspoke when I referred to someone's sexual identity as a "lifestyle choice." I meant no disrespect to the LGBT community, and I apologize to any who have taken offense at my poor choice of words. Sexual orientation and gender identity are not a choice, and anyone who knows me and my work over the years knows that I am a firm believer and supporter in the rights of LGBT Americans. Most of all, I hope this does not distract from the issue I was asked about -- the desperate, tragic decision by some young people who feel that their only recourse is to take their own lives because they are being bullied or harassed because they are gay, or because others believe they are gay. We must instill in young people respect for one another, and we must set an example of mutual regard and civility to create an environment that is safe for every person, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
What she
could have said:
I am sorry I used insensitive words to refer to LGBTIQ people.
In a recent interview I was asked about the recent tragedies about gay youth who have committed suicide and I used the insensitive phrase, "lifestyle choice." I am sorry.
I meant no disrespect to the LGBTIQ community, and I am sorry for using a phrase frequently used to frame sexual orientation and gender identity as a choice. It is a hurtful and dangerous phrase. Sexual orientation and gender identity are not a choice, nor sin, nor psychological illness, nor something of which to be ashamed.
Most of all, I hope to use this as an opportunity to discuss the ways in which such words are used to bully or harass those who are gay or even perceived as gay and why that might lead to the desperate, tragic decision by some young people who feel that their only recourse is to take their own lives.
We must instill in young people respect for one another, and we must set the example ourselves, of mutual regard and civility to create an environment that is safe for every person, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
Excuse me, I have to go find some pearls to clutch. *sigh*