Gay Democrats Respond to Palin Accusations on Sexual Orientation

1 Oct 2008 17:30 Africa/Lagos

Gay Democrats Respond to Palin Accusations on Sexual Orientation,

Vice Presidential Candidate Wrongly Argues that Sexual Orientation is a "Choice"

WASHINGTON, Oct. 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, the National Stonewall Democrats issued the following statement in response by accusations from Governor Sarah Palin that sexual orientation is a choice:


"John McCain chose a poor running mate, but he did not choose his sexual orientation. This is another example of why we need a pro-equality President like Barack Obama in the White House. For Governor Palin to suggest that individuals randomly choose their sexual orientation based on nothing but a whim is wrong and it repeats the talking points of the anti-gay special interests which continue to control the McCain/Palin campaign and the Republican Party."


- Jon Hoadley, Executive Director


Governor Palin asserted that sexual orientation is a choice - a fact disputed by the majority of the scientific community - in a response to a question posed by Katie Couric of CBS News. Couric asked Palin to comment on her views regarding sexual orientation in light of revelations that Governor Palin's church continues to promote harmful "conversion therapy" for gay Americans.


Palin responded: "But what you're talking about, I think, value here, what my position is on homosexuality and you can pray it away, because I think that was the title that was listed on that bulletin. And you know, I don't know what prayers are worthy of being prayed. I don't know what prayers are going to be asked and answered. But as for homosexuality, I am not going to judge Americans and the decisions that they make in their adult personal relationships. I have one of my absolute best friends for the last 30 years happens to be gay, and I love her dearly. And she is not my 'gay friend,' she is one of my best friends, who happens to have made a choice that isn't a choice I would have made. But I am not going to judge people."


CBS News released the interview portion quoted above late Tuesday evening.


National Stonewall Democrats is the national voice of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and allied Democrats, with more than 90 local chapters across the nation. Stonewall Democrats works to elect more pro-equality Democrats regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity - and to improve the Democratic Party on issues important to LGBT Democrats.


For more information, see: www.stonewalldemocrats.org


Source: National Stonewall Democrats

CONTACT: John Marble, Communications Director, National Stonewall
Democrats, +1-202-436-5966, cell, jmarble@stonewalldemocrats.org


Web Site: http://www.stonewalldemocrats.org/