Rick Perry Homosexuality Alcoholism: 5 Other Things Famous Conservatives Think Homosexuality Is Like [VIDEO]
Rick Perry compared homosexuality to alcoholism. He's not the first.
During a discussion about the importance of state’s rights in San Francisco on Wednesday night, Texas Gov. Rick Perry compared 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 the same way," said Perry to the gathered crowd, which reportedly consisted of many supporters, at the InterContinental Mark Hopkins Hotel.
Though his audience responded with what SFGate termed “a murmur of disbelief,” those initial groans of bewildered incredulity pale in comparison to the ongoing social media firestorm ignited by Perry’s homosexuality and alcoholism comments -- a frenzy that has continued into Thursday afternoon.
While Twitter reactions consist largely of notable LGBTQ activists admonishing the Texas governor for what they believe to be a regressive comment, supporters used the hashtag #TCOT to praise Perry for “identifying the core material sameness of illnesses of homosexuality and alcoholism.”
Though the outrage is fresh, this is not the first time the Right’s heavyweights have drawn ire for their comments about homosexuality. Others affiliated with the governor’s party have a long-standing tradition of comparing being gay to illnesses, handicaps, and even acts of violence.
In the wake of Rick Perry’s homosexuality alcoholism comments, International Business Times has compiled a list of five other things homosexuality has been likened to.
Here they are, in no particular order:
5. Here’s megachurch leader Rick Warren comparing homosexuality to “punching a guy in the nose.”
4. It isn’t just Christians who take issue with homosexuality. The chairman of one of Europe’s largest mosques in Birmingham compared being gay to being “a compulsive murderer, gambler or paedophile.”
3. During an interview with RightWingWatch.org’s Ed Vitagliano, Linda Harvey, founder of religious conservative activist group Mission America, said homosexuality is just like anorexia.
RightWingWatch’s Brian Tashman described the interview as “a riveting discussion.”
2. Though not exactly a conservative spokesman, boxer Evander Holyfield said homosexuality “ain’t normal,” and argued that being gay is like a handicap because “a doctor can cure both.”
TMZ has that video.
1. Perhaps most famously, at least in recent memory, Duck Dynasty’s Phil Robertson compared homosexuality to bestiality during an interview with GQ. LGBTQ activist group GLAAD slammed him for his comments, and the ensuing backlash garnered him a suspension from his TV show.
However, unlike many others whose comments have offended the LGBTQ community, the reality TV superstar apologized, and A&E, the network that airs Duck Dynasty, reversed its decision to suspend.
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