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.