Bill Richardson Calls Homosexuality “A Choice” at Gay Rights Forum
Pam Spaulding: I haven’t seen anyone fumble a question like this so badly.
This post, written by Pam Spaulding, originally appeared on Pam’s House Blend
[UPDATE (10:30 PM, PT): I spoke with Governor Richardson just a few moments ago to discuss his remarks at this evening's forum. See below.]
Let’s just say it right now – Bill Richardson self-immolated tonight on live TV. I haven’t seen anyone fumble a question like this so badly.
MS. ETHERIDGE: Thank you.
Do you think homosexuality is a choice, or is it biological?
GOV. RICHARDSON: It’s a choice. It’s –
MS. ETHERIDGE: I don’t know if you understand the question. (Soft laughter.) Do you think I — a homosexual is born that way, or do you think that around seventh grade we go, “Ooh, I want to be gay”?
GOV. RICHARDSON: Well, I — I’m not a scientist. It’s — you know, I don’t see this as an issue of science or definition. I see gays and lesbians as people as a matter of human decency. I see it as a matter of love and companionship and people loving each other. You know I don’t like to categorize people. I don’t like to, like, answer definitions like that that, you know, perhaps are grounded in science or something else that I don’t understand.
Karen Ocamb said there were gasps, and hisses in the audience.
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What a terrible, dumb mistake! I know Richardson is in favor of domestic partnerships. He worked toward legislation in New Mexico for just that. Has he ever been asked before about this? Guess not. Check out the UPDATE below.
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UPDATE:
Governor Richardson called the author to discuss his comments that homosexuality is a choice.
He says that was confused by the question, saying that it was tricky and it threw him off that it was asked in the context of biology and science. He said “I knew when I was walking out of the parking lot that I had said something in error. My staff alerted me that I needed to set the record straight.”
He went on to say, “This is something you are born with, and regardless of whether there is conflict about the science of it (homosexuality), I support full and equal rights. I fully support domestic partnerships.”
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But he doesn’t support marriage for gays, hmmm.
maryt
