Paladino Actually Doesn't Mind Gays Gyrating (Sort Of)

Hey, remember how homophobic Carl Paladino is? He sort of apologized. Just in time for the revelation that his son ran a gay bar in a building owned by Paladino senior.

Paladino’s apology, which appears to have fallen prey to unchecked Word autocorrect (it refers to the president as Barrack) is already being universally dubbed “weird.” He says,

I sincerely apologize for any comment that may have offended the Gay and Lesbian Community or their family members. Any reference to branding an entire community based on a small representation of them is wrong

But he also says that he “did also say some things for which I should have chosen better words. I said other things that the press misinterpreted and misstated.” Translation: Talking about gays gyrating in Speedos bad; essential homophobia, good.

Paladino’s point that his position on gay marriage is no more discriminatory than the president’s, Adam Serwer reminds us, is a sign of what ceding the ground on gay rights has wrought:

In trying to legitimize his extreme anti-gay views, Paladino insisted in his apology that “I have the same position on this issue as President Barrack [sic] Obama.” The president supports civil unions but not same-sex marriage…as long as Democrats — including the president — continue to behave timidly on gay rights issues, they can expect those opposed to gay rights to use their timidity against them.

In any case, Paladino has no trouble profiting off the gays: The Daily News reports that Paladino’s son William operated a gay club called Cobalt in a space rented from Paladino’s company, until it was abruptly turned straight. Another club, Buddies II, also rented Paladino space. It described itself as a “bar where anyone and everyone is welcome (and) prejudices are left at the door.” Oh, and his gay nephew appears to hate him now, small wonder. All of which either makes Paladino a hypocrite or, with his recent remarks, a panderer to bigotry. It’s truly an appealing choice.

Paladino Apologizes for Remarks About Gays [NYT]
GOP Governor Hopeful Carl Paladino Cashed In On Buffalo Gay Clubs Cobalt, Buddies II [NYDN]
Paladino Shows Dem Timidity Enables Discrimination [Plumline/WP]