(JTA) — The Republican candidate for New York governor denounced homosexuality in an address to Orthodox Jewish leaders.
Carl Paladino, meeting at Congregation Shaarei Chaim in Brooklyn with the leaders, said that children should not be " brainwashed into thinking that homosexuality is an equally valid and successful option " to marrying and raising a family.
"That’s not how God created us," he said, reading from a prepared address.
During the speech, he also criticized his opponent in November’s election, state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, for marching in and taking his daughters to a gay pride parade earlier this year.
Paladino defended his remarks during a round of Monday morning television appearances.
He called gay pride parades "disgusting" during an interview on the "Today" show, while calling discrimination against homosexuals "horrible" during an interview with "Good Morning America."
Paladino said he has no problem with homosexuals, just with homosexual marriage. He said he has many homosexuals in his employ.
