John Kasich: People Are 'Probably' Born Gay
- By
- Carlos Santoscoy
- | April 30, 2016
Republican presidential candidate John Kasich said Friday that being gay is “probably” not a “lifestyle choice.”
At a forum hosted by the Commonwealth of California Club, Kasich was asked whether he believes that being gay is a choice.
“Do you believe that some people are born gay? … Gay people are human beings and not a lifestyle choice. Please respond without prayer being an answer,” asked Kelly Bryan, a 62-year-old man who said that he came out to his parents at 19.
“I don't believe in discrimination,” the Ohio governor answered. “I think there is a balance, however, between discrimination and people's religious liberties. But I think we should just try to, like, take a chill pill, relax, and try to get along with one another a little bit better instead of trying to write some law to solve a problem that doesn't frankly exist in big enough numbers to justify more lawmaking.”
“Republicans don't believe in marriage equality,” Bryan, who told CNN he's a Hillary Clinton supporter, countered. “It's your platform.”
“Well, no, they don't tell me what to do about the platform. The Republican Party is my vehicle, not my master. I have a right to define the Republican Party, too,” Kasich answered.
Bryan reiterated his original question.
“Do I think that people are, you know, born gay? Probably,” Kasich responded. “I've never studied the issue. But I don't see any reason to hurt you or to discriminate [against] you or make you feel bad or make you feel like a second class citizen. I don't think that's right.”
Kasich also suggested that some people opposed to gay rights are using religion to justify their opposition.
“Sometimes people say that they're religious, okay. Just because I say that I'm a Ford Falcon doesn't make me one. Don't you understand what that means? Just because I say I'm faithful doesn't mean that I am,” he said.