New York's Republican candidate for governor, Carl P. Paladino, openly criticized homosexuality at a gathering in Williamsburg, Brooklyn on Sunday. Backed by the Tea Party, Paladino told a meeting of Orthodox Jewish leaders that being gay is "not the example that we should be showing our children" (AOL News). .
Paladino justified his stance by saying, "I just think my children and your children would be much better off and much more successful getting married and raising a family, and I don't want them brainwashed into thinking that homosexuality is an equally valid and successful option - it isn't." Following applause at the Congregation Shaarei Chaim, Paladino went on, "I didn't march in the gay parade this year - the gay pride parade this year. My opponent did, and that's not the example we should be showing our children" (AOL News). According to Newsday.com, the prepared speech given to Paladino also read, "There's nothing to be proud of in being a dysfunctional homosexual," although he chose not to read that part. Towards the end, he noted, "Don't misquote me as wanting to hurt homosexual people in any way. That would be a dastardly lie" (Harris). .
Paladino's opponent, Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo, released a statement an hour after Paladino's speech. It said, "Mr. Paladino's statement displays a stunning homophobia and a glaring disregard for basic equality. These comments along with other views he has espoused make it clear that he is way out of the mainstream and is unfit to represent New York" (Harris). .
After his speech, Paladino declined an interview. Michael R. Caputo, his campaign manager, stepped forth to say that Paladino was not antigay and brought attention to the fact that Paladino's campaign staff included a gay man. Later in a telephone interview, Caputo said, "Carl Paladino is simply expressing the views that he holds in his heart as a Catholic. Carl Paladino is not homophobic, and neither is the Catholic Church.
The New York Times gave it to cultural critic Janet Maslin, who mildly criticized its "insult slinging- and "sarcastic overkill- but was too awed by its thirty-six pages of footnotes to determine whether any of them were accurate. ...