Reply #3: another story

[Divine Discontent]

http://www.ebar.com/news/article.php?sec=news&article=2093

Online extra: Richardson stuns audience with 'choice' comment

NEWS
Published 08/16/2007

by Lisa Keen

Bill Richardson's comment that he believes being gay is a "choice" caused audience members to squirm at Thursday's presidential forum. Photo: Bill Wilson
Print this Page
Send to a Friend

There was one jaw-dropping moment in Thursday night's Human Rights Campaign Foundation/Logo presidential forum on gay issues, and several lean-in-close moments. But while there were no major shifts in previously stated positions, the forum served at least two useful purposes for LGBT voters: It pressed six of the eight Democratic candidates in an unprecedented way on gay-related issues, and gave those candidates an opportunity to make their case for why gay voters should prefer them over the others.

New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson stunned many with his response to a question from rock singer Melissa Etheridge – one of three panelists questioning the candidates – about whether he thinks "homosexuality is a choice or is it biological?"

"It's a choice," said Richardson, who has a strong record of support for equal rights for gays but who has been tripped up in recent months over comments that seem to lack a deep understanding of the community. (In a previous debate, he identified Justice Byron White – the author of the U.S. Supreme Court's damaging 1986 decision, Bowers v. Hardwick – as his ideal justice. He's also had to apologize repeatedly for using the slur "maricón" during a radio talk show last year.)

Before he had a chance to explain his answer, Etheridge broke in to help him out.

"I don't know if you understand the question," she said, as the small studio audience began mumbling.