Paladino says gays will "brainwash" children, tell him to apologize.

From: Joe Solmonese, Human Rights Campaign <hrc@hrc.org>
Date: Oct 12, 2010 1:45 PM
Subject: Paladino says gays will "brainwash" children

Dear Friend, A candidate for New York Governor says being gay isn't "equally valid." Tell Carl Paladino that his message of intolerance ruins kids' lives. It takes a special kind of politician to spout off an anti-gay tirade just days after one of the worst hate crimes in recent memory in New York. But recent suicides and hate crimes didn't stop Carl Paladino, the Republican candidate for Governor of New York, from telling LGBT young people that they're not "equally valid." This weekend in Brooklyn, Paladino said he didn't want children "brainwashed into thinking that homosexuality is an equally valid or successful option." With those words, Carl Paladino made himself the poster boy for the kind of divisive leadership that makes young LGBT people question their self-worth and that fuels anti-LGBT bullying and violence. Tell Carl Paladino that suicides and hate crimes happen when our leaders spew hate. New Yorkers have been reeling this past week after nine men were charged with the savage beating and torture of three gay men who police say were targeted because of their sexual orientation. Additionally, we've all been heartbroken over the young people who have taken their own lives recently because of anti-LGBT bullying and harassment. Carl Paladino knew all of this when he made his comments. So he's either virulently homophobic or stunningly tone-deaf to the needs of the community. But he didn't stop there. Paladino's remarks came directly after he warned that "we must stop pandering to the pornographers and the perverts who seek to target our children and destroy their lives." He blasted his opponent Andrew Cuomo for participating in a gay pride parade, and according to news reports his prepared remarks included the sentence: "There is nothing to be proud of in being a dysfunctional homosexual." It's disgusting to think that Carl Paladino's idea of celebrating the eve of National Coming Out Day is to tell young LGBT people that they're not equally valid. Carl Paladino: Apologize to the young people whose self-worth you've insulted. Isn't it time to bring us all together, not tear us apart? Sincerely, Joe Solmonese President  Share on Facebook  Share on Twitter

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