Attacks against his Christian faith by a Des Moines radio host were “outrageous” and “crossed the line of decency,” Democratic state Sen. Matt McCoy told the Iowa Independent Tuesday.

Last week, WHO-AM radio host Steve Deace and his pastor, Bob Deever of Grace West Church in West Des Moines, said McCoy could not be a Christian because he is gay. Deace also called for a return to the days when gays and lesbians could not “live this way without any sort of societal retribution for them.”

McCoy, an active member of Plymouth Congregational Church in Des Moines and the first openly gay member of the Iowa legislature, said he had not heard the full program but had been contacted by several constituents who expressed outrage.

“As an elected official I have always tried to be accepting and appreciative of all religious and spiritual beliefs and practices that makes our country diverse,” McCoy said in a statement to the Iowa Independent. “Steve Deace chooses to use his radio platform at 1040 WHO to spread hate and lies on behalf of his version of Christianity. I feel that he crossed the line of decency by attacking me and my family in such an outrageous manner. Steve Deace does not know me or my heart and his attacks will not harm me.”