WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, N.J. (AP)  -- A Robbinsville school board member has resigned after using an anti-gay slur.

School officials and gay-rights advocates had condemned Joseph Armenti's statement.

The word was used at the Sept. 23 board meeting in response to remarks made by a high school student who advocated a program to report students who use offensive language.

Armenti said the student used the gay slur first.

Last week, Armenti said his comment was taken out of context and he would apologize.

Armenti was elected to a one-year unexpired term on the board in Mercer County in April.