Writer-director Nick Cassavetes has linked gay marriage to an incestuous relationship.

Cassavetes, who is best known for the 2004 film The Notebook, made the comparison while defending the main character in his new film Yellow. In the film, Mary (played by Heather Wahlquist) has a love affair with her brother.

“I have no experience with incest,” Cassavetes told TheWrap. “We started thinking about that. We had heard a few stories where brothers and sisters were completely, absolutely in love with one another. You know what? This whole move is about judgment, and lack of it, and doing what you want.”

“Who gives a shit if people judge you?” Cassavetes continued. “I'm not saying this is an absolute but in a way, if you're not having kids – who gives a damn? Love who you want. Isn't that what we say? Gay marriage – love who you want? If it's your brother or sister it's super-weird , but if you look at it, you're not hurting anybody except every single person who freaks out because you're in love with one another.”