Carl Paladino may have implied yesterday that homosexuality is not as “valid or successful” as heterosexuality, but that’s only because being gay is “a very, very ugly experience for those that are discriminated against,” he explains today. “And it shouldn’t be. Our society should be more accepting of them.” The New York gubernatorial candidate defended his remarks on Today, telling Matt Lauer that, far from being a homophobe, he actually believes “the discrimination against homosexuals is horrible. It’s terrible … I have a nephew and I have many workers who suffer that.”
He also defended his comment about children being “brainwashed” into homosexuality, saying his only concern is that “children should not be exposed to that at a young age. Exposing them to homosexuality, especially at a Gay Pride parade, and I don't know if you've ever been to one, but they wear these little Speedos and they grind against each other … Would you take your children to a Gay Pride parade? I don't think it is proper for them to go there and watch a couple of grown men grinding against each other. I think it's disgusting." For more, including the original video of his controversial remarks, click here.
(More Carl Paladino stories.)