In a move that has surprised some political observers, the New York-based Irish Republicans group have issued a strongly worded rejection of Republican gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino’s widely reported anti-gay comments at the weekend.
The conservative Irish group were unexpected participants in a chorus of disapproval that included New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, gay-rights groups and prominent Democrats in the wake of Paladino’s statement on Sunday that children should not be “brainwashed” into thinking homosexuality is acceptable.
Paladino added that he though gay people “would be much better off and much more successful getting married and raising a family,” than being gay. His comments caused an immediate firestorm.
“What someone does in their private life is their private life,” Jeff Cleary, executive director of Irish American Republicans told the Irish Voice. “This is a fundamental right of a free people.
“If someone is homosexual or transgendered that’s their right and Carl Paladino was completely out of line. I found his remarks insulting and full of bigotry.”
Cleary remarked that just a week earlier Paladino had warned the New York Post to stay out of his family’s private life. “Now he’s wagging his finger at Andrew Cuomo,” said Cleary. “It’s ridiculous.”
Adding to Paladino’s roster of conservative critics, Mike Cox, the chair of New York's Republican Party, said in a briefly worded statement, “We condemn any remarks that can be construed as homophobic.”
Dan Donovan, the Staten Island District Attorney who hopes to become the next state attorney general, echoed Cox’s statement, “Any statements of this nature are offensive. We should be fostering a dialogue on tolerance. These statements do not achieve that, and I do not agree with them.”
Brendan Fay, the co-chair of the inclusive St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Queens and prominent gay equality activist told the Irish Voice, “Given the week that we’ve just had with the rash of brutal anti-gay hate crimes and suicides, from Staten Island to the Bronx to Chelsea, the speech Paladino gave was absolutely outrageous.
“Most decent and fair-minded New Yorkers are in shock, and rightfully. He owes the city an apology. Statements like this reinforce the violence and discrimination experienced by gay people throughout this state. I’m glad that so many other leaders have spoken out very quickly against such prejudicial and hateful remarks.”
In a rare show of solidarity across the political spectrum, Cleary of Irish American Republicans echoed Fay’s disgust at Paladino’s recent antigay statements, concluding, “One’s own religious views can come into this issue. I respect that and I understand that and I have my own views as a practicing Catholic.
“But I keep them to myself, and I don’t think bigotry and hatred belong in a debate about who’s going to be the next governor. I’m just so angry at this guy its unbelievable.”
6 Comments
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.ripley838 | Oct 15, 2010, 10:11 AM EDT
I could say "Carl's a bigot, but he's our bigot", but he is not my Carl.
maloney | Oct 14, 2010, 10:14 PM EDT
A bearded marxist, grayson & alvin green. They make O'Donnell & Paladino look pretty good to me. Then you have the great pelosi, just pass the bill & we will find out what's in it after it passes, give me a break.
seanomelbourne | Oct 14, 2010, 07:48 PM EDT
The only way Paladino can increase his numbers is to take the teabag out of the cup before he drinks it and keep away from reporters and cameras.
Rebelforce | Oct 14, 2010, 06:09 PM EDT
Three weeks before the election and Carl Palladino decides to tell hundreds of thousands of gay and bisexual New Yorkers (including his own nephew who had been campaigning for him) "You'd be crazy to vote for somebody like me. I don't like you, but my opponent Andrew Cuomo does. He even takes his daughters to gay Pride parades." Smart move? Maybe---if this were 1950. But its not. Its 2010. If I were his campaign manager, I'd smack him over the head with a Hasidic gefilte fish.
maloney | Oct 14, 2010, 06:03 PM EDT
Schools shouldn't be teaching gay, straight or anything sex related. Schools should teach the three R's and leave sex to the parents to teach as they see fit. The schools are failing in teaching the basics, let alone anything else. Paladino, as a politician, has a LOT to learn.
manhattan | Oct 14, 2010, 04:07 PM EDT
Why the shock that Irish American Republicans denounce that crackpot Paladino and his awful comments about gays? There are intolerant dumb people of every nationality,race and political party .