Rick Perry doesn't quite say it's a choice but at the same time he says that it is something that you can control. Also at the bottom it looks like Perry would like to see Tesla in Texas. http://news.msn.com/us/perry-discusses-view-of-homosexuality Perry discusses view of homosexuality SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Texas Gov. Rick Perry, during a visit that focused primarily on economic issues, drew on a reference to alcoholism to explain his view of homosexuality. Perry's comments to the Commonwealth Club of California came after Texas' Republican Convention on Saturday sanctioned platform language allowing Texans to seek voluntary counseling to "cure" being gay. The San Francisco Chronicle reports that in response to a question about it, Perry said he did not know whether the therapy worked. Perry, a former and potential future GOP presidential candidate, was then asked whether he believed homosexuality was a disorder. The paper says that the governor responded that "whether or not you feel compelled to follow a particular lifestyle or not, you have the ability to decide not to do that." He said: "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." The Texas Republican platform stand on the issue is in contrast to California and New Jersey, which have previously banned licensed professionals from providing such therapy to minors. During the bulk of his talk, Perry held up his own state as a model for responsible energy production and economic growth in California. Perry said he believes Texas is leading the way in achieving energy independence by producing crude oil and electricity in many forms, including solar power. Perry also suggested that deregulating electricity had started a boom for renewable energy in Texas, which he called the nation's leading developer of wind energy. Perry said shale drilling techniques had doubled oil production in Texas, and he urged Californians to tap the full energy potential in its Monterey Shale. On Tuesday, Perry drove up to California's state capital of Sacramento in a Tesla Model S electric car — underscoring his desire to lure a Tesla battery factory to Texas.
Fairly accurate statements -- Perry has for the most part kept his homosexuality under control while he has been governor.
Assuming he's referring to acting on one's sexual impulses, he is correct. Whether its a good thing to "control" this is another question.
Whenever Perry talks about them gays I keep thinking of Dennis Quads character in Far From heaven. <iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/l84trT4b6yE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
It's actually sad. Perry wants to run for president and he doesn't believe people choose to be gay. But, he can't say that because then he would have to admit people are born that way which is a death blow in a Republican primary. Therefore he tries to find a nuanced way to say you are born that way. The whole "it's a disease" or "disorder" is the way to deal with the fact that it might be genetic but still be "wrong."
Lawd these aren't morals, they will accept gays completely when they need their vote. Religion/belief structure < Politics.
Their votes would be helpful right now. The problem is courting their vote would cost them other votes.
I don't understand why they even bring it up anymore. I honestly feel like some of these politicians in the GOP don't really care that people are gay but are obligated to stay within party lines on the issue. (not saying anything about Perry, I am sure he thinks the gays are gonna get him)
It sounds like you understand it perfectly. To be clear, he was asked about it. I think most Republicans probably say a prayer before every interview that they aren't asked about it. They don't want to talk about it anymore, but if they are asked, they have to walk the line to keep the base happy. I think Perry is probably a lot more moderate than you think on this issue, but the man was governor of Texas and wants to be president of the United States as a REPUBLICAN. It's hard to do that if you think being gay is genetic.
It is hard for me sometimes to not paint the entire Republican party with the brush I want to paint them with. As much as it doesn't seem like it, most (note the word most) of these politicians on the right are HIGHLY educated and intelligent but they, along with everyone else, are forced into their pre-designated side on EVERY issue based on their party affiliaton. Moderate people and stances seem to get lost in the shuffle and the outrage. Everything in politics has become so partisan and strongly polarized and the American people are the ones that are losing because of it. We have been turned against each other and it results in people rabidly politicizing every single issue and event. It makes me sad as a young idealistic and optimistic person to see such a broken political system and hostile political climate. Sometimes I just want everyone to sit in a circle around a camp fire under the stars, spark up a joint, and sing Kumbaya hahaha but maybe I am just delusional, naive or lack perspective.
That might very well be the case but clearly there is a significant portion of the GOP that cares about this. Perry was asked the question because the TX GOP just added a plank endorsing reparative therapy for homosexuality. This wasn't something they were forced to but that party activist wanted and party leadership bypassed debate on it.
