Governor candidate Carl Paladino makes anti-gay slur
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The Conservative Republican candidate for governor of New York told Orthodox Jewish leaders that he doesn't want children "brainwashed into thinking that homosexuality" is acceptable.
While Carl Paladino, a multimillionaire developer from Buffalo, has stated that he is opposed to gay marriage, his most recent comments were striking because they came hours after eight people were charged over an attack on a gay man and two gay teenagers in the Bronx on 3 October.
Mr Paladino, who has received strong support from conservative Tea Party activists, made the comments at a Brooklyn synagogue while striking a contrast between himself and his Democratic rival, state attorney general Andrew Cuomo. It was not the first controversy for Mr Paladino, who apologised for forwarding racist and sexist emails early on in his campaign to replace Democratic Governor David Paterson.
Mr Cuomo, a son of former governor Mario Cuomo, leads in the polls in the heavily Democratic state. Mr Paladino said he chose not to march in this summer's gay pride parade but his opponent did. "That's not how God created us," Mr Paladino said of being gay, "and that's not the example that we should be showing our children".
He skipped a prepared line from his speech at the synagogue: "There is nothing to be proud of in being a dysfunctional homosexual." Mr Paladino said he did not agree with the passage. He said the remarks were suggested by his "hosts at the synagogue".
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments