At the Commonwealth Club of California convention in San Diego, Texas Governor Rick Perry defended his stance on what he refers to as the “homosexual issue” by comparing homosexuality with alcoholism.
“Whether or not you feel compelled to follow a particular lifestyle…, you have the ability to decide not to do that,” Perry said. In his book, “On My Honor,” Perry wrote that he believes homosexuality is an “active choice.”
“I may have the genetic coding that I’m inclined to be an alcoholic, but I have the desire not to do that,” Perry said. “And I look at the homosexual issue as the same way.”
The Texas Republican Party endorsed “reparative” therapy for gays and lesbians seeking to change sexual orientation. The platform does not impose therapy onto individuals, but it recognizes its “legitimacy and efficacy.”
In a “Squawk Box” interview, Perry was asked if he thinks homosexuals should go through therapy to change into heterosexuals.
“I don’t know,” Perry said. “We’ll leave that to the psychologists and the doctors.”
The American Psychological Association has dismissed the idea that sexual orientation is a mental disorder. Mental health professionals are advised not to tell clients they can change their sexual orientation.
“He’s going to run for president,” said Texas Republican strategist Bill Miller, in a Washington Post article. “There is no question in my mind based on what I see.”
“When he talks about homosexuality instead of the economic debate, he’s really talking to his audience in Iowa,” said Miller. “Those people will make or break him.”
“I think the social issues should be decided state-by-state rather than being something in Washington, D.C., to try to make one-size-fits-all,” Perry said, appealing to his conservative base.
In 2009, Iowa became the fourth state to legalize same-sex marriage.
Republican strategists recognize that the GOP’s stance on homosexual-related issues is decreasing in popularity. Republican strategist Ford O’Connell believes Perry’s recent comments have hurt his chances for the 2016 election.
“When you go out and make comments like that, mega-donors and key activists and voters are shaking their heads,” O’Connell said.
Photo: Texas Gov. Rick Perry (Richard Shiro/AP)
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