Texas Gov Rick Perry: homosexuality like alcoholism, ‘a choice,’ Chris Christie disagrees
Texas Gov. Rick Perry compared homosexuality to alcoholism during a discussion with Commonwealth Club of California members in San Francisco last week. Perry’s comments come just days after the Royal College of Psychiatrists admitted that there is no evidence people are born gay.
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“Whether or not you feel compelled to follow a particular lifestyle or not, you have the ability to decide not to do that,” Perry told the interview, noting that he believe homosexuality is a choice.
“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 the same way.”
His comments immediately drew attacks from the Human Rights Campaign arguing that Perry lacked true expertise on the subject.
“Although he may not have the ‘genetic coding’ to think before he speaks, Rick Perry, M.D. should have a real conversation with actual doctors before voicing his expertise on these issues,” said HRC’s Fred Sainz.
“Every major mental health and medical organization in the country has condemned practices aimed at changing a person’s sexual orientation.”
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said he disagrees, saying it is not “an apt analogy and not one that should be made because I think it’s wrong,” according to Reuters.
Christie has previously signed a state law barring so-called reparative therapy aimed at turning gay minors straight, which the Texas GOP endorsed last week.
So, just as the aforementioned Royal College of Psychiatrists stated that there is no proof people are born with a sexual preferences, they too don’t believe in conversion therapy.
Political game play or sincere discussion?
