Herman Cain, the GOP presidential candidate whose numbers are on the rise, today appeared on ABC’s “The View” and claimed that being gay is a choice, and that until he sees proof it’s not, it’s his opinion versus yours, and it’s just that: a difference of opinion. Cain, who is now tied for second place with Rick Perry, also promised to bring back “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” the ban on open gay service in the military, despite the fact that it has been found to be both unconstitutional and against the will of three out of four Americans.
Transcript and video thanks to Think Progress:
JOY BEHAR: To think that gay is a choice, I don’t know how to respond to that. I mean, don’t think anybody in this world wants to be gay considering all the vilification that is brought upon someone who is gay. Why would you choose that?
HERMAN CAIN: Well, you show me the science that it’s not and I’ll be persuaded. Right now it’s my opinion against the opinions of others who feel differently. That’s just a difference of opinions.
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Think Progress’ Zack Ford adds,
If Cain has not seen “the science,†he clearly has never bothered to look. Based on decades of research, all major medical professional organizations agree that sexual orientation is not a choice and cannot be changed, from gay to straight or otherwise. The American Psychological Association, the world’s largest association of psychological professionals, describes sexual orientation as “a complex interaction of environmental, cognitive and biological factors.†There is considerable evidence to suggest that biology, “including genetic or inborn hormonal factors,†plays a significant role in a person’s sexuality.
The Log Cabin Republicans, a gay GOP group instrumental in working toward ending DADT, immediately responded to Cain’s outrageous statement.
“If Herman Cain truly wants to see the science proving that sexual orientation is not a choice, Log Cabin Republicans would be happy to show it to him,” said Log Cabin Republicans Executive Director R. Clarke Cooper. “The claim that a person chooses to be gay or lesbian has been discredited by every major professional medical organization, starting with the American Psychological Association and the American Medical Association. An individual’s orientation is no more a choice than the color of his skin or whether he is left-handed, and too many people have been hurt because of failed attempts to change the way they were born.”
“I would also be happy to discuss my experiences as a current Army reserve officer and combat veteran, and the testimony of military leadership that the repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ strengthens our armed forces and furthers America’s national security interests. It is unfortunate that Mr. Cain chose to divert attention away from a solid platform of greater liberty and smaller government by indulging in anti-gay rhetoric. Log Cabin Republicans sincerely hope that Herman Cain is open to hearing the evidence and changing his mind on these issues.”