June 13, 2014
Christie Disagrees With Perry's Gay Statements
Jason St. Amand READ TIME: 2 MIN.
In a highly publicized interview earlier this week, Texas Gov. Rick Perry made some controversial statements where he linked alcoholism to homosexuality. Comments that fellow Republican governor and possible rival 2016 presidential hopeful New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, publicly disagreed with on Friday, My San Antonio reports.
When speaking to reporters in San Francisco, the same city where Perry made his remarks, Christie was asked if the Republican Party and the Republican Governors Association, which is headed by Christie, should disavow Perry's statements.
"I don't believe that's an apt analogy and not one that should be made because I think it's wrong," Christie said. He added, however, that governors and other public officials can say what they want about hot button issues.
It was reported this week that Perry, during a visit that was primarily focused on economic issues, talked about alcoholism to explain his views on homosexuality.
"Whether or not you feel compelled to follow a particular lifestyle or not, you have the ability to decide not to do that," the former GOP presidential candidate said when asked if he believes homosexuality is a disorder. "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."
Perry's comments come days after the Texas GOP platform changed its language to support the controversial conversion therapy, which some say can "turn" gay men and women straight.
Christie's comments should come as no surprise. In 2013, he signed a bill making New Jersey the second state in the country banning gay conversion therapy for minors.
