Carl Paladino Releases An Apology
It's a step in the right direction. Let's see if you actually mean it.
New York Republican gubernatorial nominee Carl Paladino made some awful homophobic remarks earlier last week, equating homosexuality to being "brainwashed" and asserting that being gay was NOT a "valid and successful option" in life.
We were truly hurt to hear someone in such a position speak so narrow-mindedly about things he obviously knows nothing about and we know we weren't alone. The backlash he's received as of late has made him have to own up to his prejudices and this morning, he released an apology. In his press release, he states:
I am Carl Paladino, a father, a husband, a builder and a business owner. I am neither perfect, nor a career politician. I have made mistakes in this campaign - I have made mistakes all my life- as we all have. I am what I am - a simple man who works hard, trusts others, and loves his family and fears for the future of our State.
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. 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 and the publication by others not involved with our campaign of unredacted script that did not reflect my oral statement or match my personal feelings. Please go to my website www.paladinoforthepeople.com to learn more detail about the issues including my staunch support for civil rights for all New Yorkers.
So you blame your speech writer for the words that you said? Will that go the same for this press release?
Only time will tell if he truly means what he says or if this is just another politician trying to cover his tracks.
But we're curious…
Look back at statement #6. Is he implying he is a father to a member of the gay community? As in, one of his own children is homosexual? How awful it would be if one of his own children had to hear how their father really felt about being homosexual!
Shame!
[Image via AP Images.]
Tags: apology, carl paladino, gay, new york
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He should not have appoligized he was right. This is no longer a Celeb gossip site it is now a GAY news site.
I think people can believe whatever they want. If you're against gay marriage, that's your right. Just don't marry a gay person. Why stop others from doing what makes them happy?
A couple of his properties were used as gay bars. Also one of his sons used to run a gay bar. I guess he has no problems making money off of gays.
Stop the hate!!!! It seems like he was the landlord for two gay clubs and his nephew is openly gay. I think I read somewhere that his son was gay too but i cant find the article to link to. When I do I will link it. Peace.
He's a politician don't be fooled..there all the same.
he did not mean it, I am from Buffalo and we are not proud to claim as 1 of our own very disgusted with him he wants to run NY like a dictatorship and really tired of his comments, there are emails of racist jokes, beastiality sexual jokes against women, he has made numerous disparaging remarks about people who are on public assistance his plan for low income families are work camps in old prisons, this man is crazy old bigot and next week it will be something even far worse then this, nobody makes mention of the child he fathered out of wedlock yet he puts gay people down and hides behind the church to tell us all that exposing our children to gay people and pride is wrong, and he has openly admitted his nephew is gay but he feels sorry for him, there is a crisis going on right now with our youth and comments like his need to stop they only fuel hate!!!!!!!!!!
The guy is a real jerk but I do agree with him about the creeps in speedos who walk in the gay parades. I am gay and those Adam Lambert type freaks ruin it for the rest of us. Being gay is not a license to act like an as*hole.
New Yorkers have a choice. A choice between two creeps it would seem. The old hooker loving Gov doesn't seem so bad now.
So he blames his comments on something that was written for him? WTF? Either you believe it or you don't. You don't just read major opinions and then apologize. He is full of crap and a major hypocrite. He has two families, one with his stupid, doormat wife and one with his mistress, and he told the wife about the illeglitimate girl when his other son died at the wake.
Geez stupid Mario… you can turn anything around and make it gay can't you? You are suck a fucktard.
his son was not gay, although im feeling the homophobic are just curious but they are to scared to act upon it:)
He should apologize. His comments, which were from video tape, not print were terrible.
Re: RubbinIsRacin – if u don't like the gayness of this site then stop giving it so many hits and comments, idiot.
He wants to get elected. Enough said.
Gee a man who has a child with a mistress, sends out emails of beasiality on his job is preaching family values? LMAO. He is so stupid it's funny! All Cuomo has to do is look sane against this weirdo.
Another Moron !
Perez, can't you read?
It's a simple phrase… He did not say one of his children is gay,
I liked him more when he said what he meant and meant what he said.
I agreed with him 110%, my kids will not be at those parades either.
This guy is so scarey.
I'm not gay, but will I be in the next group of people he wishes to discriminate against?
He is a hater. He says he was misquoted. That is a lie. His words were very plain and clear on tape.
Very dangerous.
He didn't write the person backing him with their money wrote it. What do we do about what he said on The Today Show? What do we do with the emails he sent. He is who he is and if anyone votes for him they are just like him.
YOU, MARIO, are doing EXACTLY what the PRESS did. TAKE A FEW WORDS HERE, THERE, AND LABELED. He is against Gay marriage, he follows the views of the Catholic Church. He and Cuomo, AGAIN, were going at it, about taking children to a gay pride parade. He came across one in Toronto and it had a FLOAT with Men in SPEEDOs 'GRINDING AND GYRATING' AGAINST EACH OTHER. He did not think it was apropriate to do in public, either gay or straight. (I AGREE).
backpeddle much?
He also felt Sex and the different options in life should be taught at home by the parents. He does not want kids being 'brainwashed' into thinking the gay life is 'sucessful' because he does not think it is. AND, he pointed OUT ALL THE SUICIDES DUE TO BULLYING. Go to a bookstore and look at the Gay Family books, look at Modern Family. These books and what schools 'teach' it is alright to be gay, it is fine. All peaches and cream, rosey. BUT THAT IS NOT REAL LIFE and that is what Paladino is saying about the gay life not being 'successful'. He said he thought people were born gay. (nephew is gay)and he has gay employees and to live and let live. Paladino is a man who says what he means and is not politically correct. Most of what he says, most people wish they had the GUTS TO SAY. REMEMBER OBAMA STILL DOES NOT BELIEVE IN GAY MARRIAGE.
And if you believe Paladino is WRONG, most gays live a successful life, Why are alot of people in Washington D.C. still in the closet? Yes, we have SOME admited gay politicians, but let's face it, there are more, a lot more. We know it, we just don't push it. Why are these people not coming out? Would they be where they are now, if they had come out? (look around Obama's cabinet)
Re: sfddgdggd – I finally got what I wanted, some idiot to reply to me. Now I will stop commenting.
As an asexual atheist I am offended sir.
Re: RubbinIsRacin – ur so desperate for attention so u troll a gossip site. how pathetic.
He forgot to mention how much he loves his girlfriend & their bastard child ! It's ok jesus said so just ask him.
Re: Team Fart – Paladino had addressed, on the morning news, that he doesn't support gay marriage. I'm pretty sure that affects the gay community.
"5) My position on marriage is based on my personal views. I have the same position on this issue as President Barrack Obama."
I don't know who this BarRack Obama is… he does realize that there's only "r" right? A homophobe AND stupid. Sigh, Republicans.