Albany area same sex couples react to Paladino comments

October 12, 2010

Posted by Talia Kaplan on fox23news.com:

"Republican Carl Paladino made anti-gay remarks to a group of Orthodox Jews and now members of the gay community are speaking out.

"The Tea Party and GOP supported candidate said standing up for gay rights would be giving children the wrong example.

"He also told the crowd, if elected, he would veto any legislation supporting marriage equality and civil unions.

"Judy Disco and Barbara Goldstein met thirty years ago but, it certainly wasn’t love at first sight.

“'It was more friendship at first sight and we were friends for probably six or seven years before we became romantically involved,' Judy Disco, Delmar, said.

"Now they live together with their dog Bella.

"They said they were shocked when they heard Paladino’s comments. [See video below]

“'I will not be voting for Paladino. I thought that yesterday for sure. I could not be more proud of having a Cuomo sign on my lawn at this time,' Goldstein said.

"Paladino made some surprising anti-gay statements to a crowd of Orthodox Jewish leaders in Brooklyn Sunday, saying he doesn’t want children being brainwashed into thinking homosexuality is 'valid.'

“'To have these kinds of thoughts and ideals and to want to govern this state to me is appalling,' Disco said.  

"Goldstein, who is Jewish, wants people to understand that not all Jews are homophobic.

“'I think he was pandering for votes. I think he chose to speak with a sect of the Jewish community that has some very closed views but, by no means does that reflect the vast majority of Jewish people who are very forward thinking and good people,' Goldstein said.

"On Monday, Paladino said he is not anti-gay. He is just expressing his Catholic beliefs.

“'You’re asking me, am I embracing it? And my answer is, absolutely. Except for the freedom to marry, I’m fine, with all of it. I have a nephew, I have employees who are gay, we’ve never had a problem,' Paladino said.

"Lynne Lekekis and Elissa Kane were shocked with Paladino’s comments too.

"They are married but, not legally.

“'We hope someday it will be legal here and until then we just keep our fingers crossed and do what we can to elect people who agree that we are valid,' Lekekis said.

..."Andrew Cuomo’s camp released a response saying 'Mr. Paladino’s statement displays a stunning homophobia and a glaring disregard for basic equality.'”

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