Tony Perkins, president of the Family
Research Council (FRC), is among the conservatives calling on
Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson to explain his support
for gay rights initiatives while serving as a director at major
companies.
While serving on the boards of retailer
Costco Wholesale and food manufacturer Kellogg, Carson supported
several gay rights initiatives, including domestic partner benefits,
diversity training and barring discrimination based on gender
identity.
“I think he has to explain this,”
Perkins told Reuters. “As he is pursuing the presidency, what he
has to make clear is that the board positions should not be
reflective of his public policy.”
Carson has been vocal in his opposition
to same-sex marriage. In 2013, he compared marriage
equality to bestiality and pedophilia. More recently, he said
allowing
gay couples to marry “negates the word of God.”
During last week's GOP debate, CNBC
moderator Carl Quintanilla asked Carson about serving on the board of
Costco given his apparent opposition to gay rights.
“Obviously you don't understand my
views on homosexuality,” Carson responded. “I believe our
constitution protects everybody regardless of their sexual
orientation or any other aspect. I also believe marriage is between
one man and one woman. There is no reason you can't be perfectly
fair to the gay community.”
Fellow directors at Costco and Kellogg
told Reuters that they do not remember Carson objecting to the policy
changes.
“Ben Carson never came into the
boardroom with any kind of social policy commentary,” said Jefferey
Brotman, chair of Costco's board.
Carson stepped down from both boards in
May.