The context of that whole controversy changed when Maya Keyes went public (and Keyes' reps here refused to confirm or deny her sexual preference). In light of what we now know, he really should have said something like, "I wouldn't personalize it like that, but I stand by my position."
According to a report in the Advocate, Mary informed her parents while in high school. It's funny he's kicking her our now, while knowing and even being asked during the campaign about her sexual persuasion. Even funnier that she was useful in the campaign and now she's no longer.