In an open letter, New York Republican gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino apologized Oct. 12 for anti-gay comments he recently delivered to a group of Orthodox Jews, the New York Times reported.
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.
In the letter, Paladino stated, "I have made mistakes." However, he did not back down from what he said earlier in the weekonly that he "should have chosen better words." He went on to compare his views on marriage equality to President Obama's and wrote, "If elected as your governor, I will stand and fight for all gay New Yorkers' rights. I ask you for forgiveness on my poorly chosen words."
Gay-rights advocates did not warm to Paladino's letter. In New York City, openly gay City Council Speaker Christine Quinn said, "This is not a question of choosing poor words or a misinterpretation of his remarks. His beliefs are wrong and filled with hate."
The apology came on the heels of news that Paladino's son, William, co-owned a gay club in Buffalo, N.Y., named Cobalt a few years ago, according to the New York Daily News. Cobalt and another gay nightspot, Buddies II, were housed in buildings owned by one of the elder Paladino's companies, the Huron Group LLC.