Steve Hickey, a Republican member of
the South Dakota House and a Sioux Falls pastor, asked during an
interview broadcast online whether it is safe for gay men to sleep in
feces.
Hickey appeared on Argus Leader's
100 Eyes to discuss the controversy surrounding a recent
Facebook post he wrote.
The post, titled A One Way Alley for
the Garbage Truck, was a response to a planned federal lawsuit to
South Dakota's ban on gay marriage.
(Related: South
Dakota AG Marty Jackley says he will defend gay marriage ban.)
“Pardon a crude comparison but
regarding men with men, we are talking about a one-way alley meant
only for the garbage truck to go down,” Hickey
wrote.
Hickey also called on the medical
establishment to speak out against gay sex, calling it unsafe.
During
Monday's appearance, Hickey told Argus Leader managing
editor Patrick Lalley that he regrets the wording of his comments.
“I get myself in trouble with my
analogies, and I'm aware of that,” Hickey said. “I could have
spent more time to be more precise.”
“The safety is not settled on the
safety of heterosexual vaginal sex,” Lalley said. “There are
risks with any type of sexual act. There are diseases for all types
of sexual acts. Sexually transmitted diseases in many ways are not
discriminatory based on what your orientation is. Why do you think
that sex between homosexuals is any less safe than sex between
heterosexuals?”
“Because the science is clear,”
Hickey answered, adding that a monogamous heterosexual couple doesn't
have to worry about sexually transmitted diseases.
“So, in many ways your issue is
monogamy versus serial monogamy or … you're talking about a
committed relationship between two people for a lifetime? But that
doesn't have anything to do with sexual orientation. That's a
cultural problem,” Lalley said.
“No, homosexual is fourteen times
worse. So, what do you? That's science,” Hickey claimed,
referring to STDs.
When asked for evidence, Hickey cited
controversial doctor John R. Diggs, who claims that only 32 percent
of gay and bisexual men reach the age of 65.
“Take whatever issue you want,”
Lalley replied, “there is no unanimous consensus on any science.
Even the basics, you can find a scientist who will tell you something
that's on the fringes of it. … But … there are no public health
warnings [from the CDC] against homosexual sex.”
“Here's what I'd like to ask [a
doctor]: Do you tell your patients to wash their hands before they
eat? Why? Because you touch a doorknob and you don't want to get it
inside your body. But … is it okay for eight of your friends that
you're in love with to take a dump in your bed and you can sleep it
in all year long?” Hickey asked.
While admitting that there are gay
couples who make good parents, Hickey said that his opposition to
marriage equality was based on protecting children.