Carl Paladino, the Republican candidate for governor of New York, issued an apology Tuesday for homophobic remarks made earlier this week, when he said he did not want his children “brainwashed into thinking that homosexuality” was an acceptable option.
Homosexuality is “not the way God created us,” Paldino said in his remarks while addressing Orthodox Jewish leaders in Brooklyn on Sunday.
Paladino also called gay pride parades “disgusting” and questioned the judgment of his Democratic opponent, Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, for marching in one with his daughters.
But on Tuesday, Paladino asked forgiveness for his “poorly chosen words,” but not without blaming the press for “misinterpreting and misquoting” some of what he said:
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Yesterday I was handed a script. I redacted some contents that were unacceptable. I did also say some things for which I should have chosen better words. I said other things that the press misinterpreted and misstated. I sincerely apologize for any comment that may have offended the Gay and Lesbian Community or their family members. Any reference to branding an entire community based on a small representation of them is wrong. My personal beliefs are:
1) I am a live and let live person.
2) I am 100% against discrimination of any group. I oppose discrimination of any kind in housing, credit, insurance benefits or visitation.
3) I am 100% against hate crimes in any form.
4) I am in support of civil agreements and equal rights for all citizens.
5) My position on marriage is based on my personal views. I have the same position on this issue as President Barrack Obama. I have previously stated I would support a referendum by New York voters. I have proposed Initiative and Referendum so New Yorkers can decide important issues like this.
6) The portrayal of me as anti-gay is inconsistent with my lifelong beliefs and actions and my prior history as an father, employer and friend to many in the gay and lesbian community.
I am concerned with the future for all our citizens, gay, straight, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish and Muslim and Agnostic. Although I am not perfect I do admit my mistakes. I will reach out to leaders of the gay community to educate me on how to better represent my support for the rights of all citizens.
Paladino said if he is elected governor, he will fight for the rights of all New Yorkers. But in case you missed his speech this past weekend, here’s how Paladino concluded:
If you elect me as your next governor, you can depend on me to protect and defend your family from those who seek to tear down our values and bankrupt our citizens.
And yes, I will veto all legislation that mocks our sacred institution of marriage and family. I will veto any gay marriage or civil union bill that comes to my desk.
Yes I’m angry. Real angry at the way our politically correct elites are mistreating our innocent children, and I want to protect them and give them a real future in America, the greatest country on God’s green Earth.
Meanwhile, Jeff Hannon, Paladino’s gay nephew (and a campaign aide), spent the day hiding inside his parents’ upstate home.
“I have no comment right now,” Hannon told the New York Daily News when reached on his cell phone. “I don’t want my face to be all over the newspaper over this.”
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