NY Republican governor hopeful makes anti-gay remarks

Paladino tells Jewish leaders he doesn't want kids "brainwashed into thinking that homosexuality is an equally valid and successful option."

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Paladino with Orthodox 311 (photo credit: ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Paladino with Orthodox 311
(photo credit: ASSOCIATED PRESS)
NEW YORK — Carl Paladino, the conservative Republican candidate to be governor of New York told Orthodox Jewish leaders on Sunday he does not want children "brainwashed into thinking that homosexuality" is acceptable.
"That's not how God created us," Paladino said of being gay, "and that's not the example that we should be showing our children." He added that children who later in life choose to marry people of the opposite sex and raise families would be "much better off and much more successful." "I don't want them to be brainwashed into thinking that homosexuality is an equally valid and successful option," he said.
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He skipped one line from his prepared text in his speech at the synagogue: "There is nothing to be proud of in being a dysfunctional homosexual."
Paladino, a multimillionaire developer from Buffalo, New York who has received strong support from conservative-libertarian "tea party" activists, made the comments at a synagogue in Brooklyn's Williamsburg section while trying to strike a contrast between himself and his Democratic rival, state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo. Paladino said he chose not to march in this summer's gay pride parade but his opponent did.
Paladino has stated that he is opposed to gay marriage and his most recent comments came hours after eight people were arraigned in an attack on a gay man and two gay teens in the Bronx on October 3.
In a statement issued after midnight, Paladino said he did not agree with the passage. He said the remarks were suggested by his "hosts at the synagogue." His campaign manager, Michael Caputo, told The New York Post that the congregation distributed the draft in Paladino's name without clearing it with the campaign. A message was left at the synagogue early Monday.
"In my speech today to Orthodox Jewish leaders in New York City, I noted my opposition to gay marriage, inspired by my Catholic beliefs," Paladino said in the statement. "I also oppose discrimination of any form."
Asked whether his comments were appropriate given the recent savage attacks on gays, Paladino said he does not support violence against gays.
"Don't misquote me as wanting to hurt homosexual people in any way. That would be a dastardly lie," he said. "My approach is live and let live."
Paladino, who apologized for forwarding racist and sexist e-mails early on in his campaign to replace Democratic Gov. David Paterson, was campaigning on Sunday through traditionally Jewish conservative neighborhoods of Brooklyn, stopping at a rabbinical college in Borough Park, before eating lunch at Gottlieb's deli in Williamsburg and then ending his tour at the synagogue.