Texas governor and potential 2016 presidential contender Rick Perry is walking back a statement he made comparing homosexuality to alcoholism.
"I may have the genetic coding that I'm inclined to be an alcoholic, but I have the desire not to do that, and I look at the homosexual issue as the same way." (Via CBS)
Speaking in San Francisco last week, Rick Perry's comparison between homosexuality and the disease drew fire from both the left and the right. Jon Stewart was quick to chime in:
"Oh, boy. Rick Perry's using words again." (Via Comedy Central / "The Daily Show")
Conservative anchor Joe Kernen of CNBC said, "I have a really high bar for what I would take offense to, but that would exceed the bar for me on being an offensive comment."
And the Los Angeles Times quoted Perry's fellow 2016 rumored hopeful Chris Christie as saying, "I disagree with him, and I don't believe that's an apt analogy and not one that should be made."
Perry's comments came after the release of the Texas Republican Party platform, which endorsed "reparative" therapy for gay people. (Via The Texas Tribune)
To be fair, though, even the state's GOP chairman told Texas Public Radio he doesn't agree with reparative therapy being on the party's platform.
The therapy, aimed at turning gay people straight, is strongly opposed by the medical community. (Via CNN)
"There is no published scientific evidence supporting the efficacy of reparative therapy in order to change your sexual orientation." (Via MSNBC)
Just more than a week later, Perry retreated from his statement at an event in Washington. (Via Politico)
"I stepped right in it." (Via The Hill)
Perry emphasized the importance of treating gay people with respect and the creation of economic opportunity for all Americans.
