On Oct. 10, New York Republican gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino criticized gays while at a stop in Brooklyn, saying that children should not "be brainwashed into thinking that homosexuality is an equally valid or successful option," according to CNN. He also criticized opponent Andrew Cuomo for marching in the city's gay-pride parade.
However, what he said was actually not as severe as what he had planned to say. A prepared statement said, "There is nothing to be proud of in being a dysfunctional homosexual" and "That's not how [ God ] created us." He did not say those remarks, though.
Christopher Barron, chairman of the gay conservative organization GOProud, did not give Paladino's statements much weight. E-mailing CNN, Barron wrote, "Carl Paladino's comments would matter if they were coming from a serious political figure, however they are not. They are instead coming from the imploding campaign of a man with the personal baggage of John Edwards and all the electability of Alan Keyes."
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force's National Religious Leadership Roundtable responds to Carl Paladino's divisive comments
WASHINGTON, Oct. 11 — The National Religious Leadership Roundtable, convened by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, responded to the divisive comments about homosexuality by the New York Republican candidate for governor, Carl Paladino. He told a gathering in Brooklyn on Sunday that children should not be "brainwashed" into thinking that homosexuality was acceptable. According to media reports, Paladino's campaign manager said that the candidate "is simply expressing the views that he holds in his heart as a Catholic."
Statement by the Rev. Rebecca Voelkel
Faith Work Director, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
"In a time when anti-lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender violence has risen in New York City, Carl Paladino's comments are especially hurtful and dangerous. They incite violence against people for being who they are. That they clothe themselves in religious language is even more disturbing. Preaching hate from our pulpits, in our politics, or to our pupils is simply unacceptable. It literally endangers lives. And the life and ministry of Jesus always calls us to stand against that which hates, hurts or destroys."
To watch the Rev. Voelkel talk about the need for people of faith and others to speak out against anti-LGBT violence, visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkMmkso0E-c
To learn more about the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, visit www.theTaskForce.org
