Ben Carson (AP Photo)
Ben Carson, the world-renowned surgeon and prospective GOP presidential candidate, recently said that being gay is a choice and cited incarceration to back up his theory.
In a Mar. 4 interview, CNN’s Chris Cuomo asked Carson whether being gay is a choice. Carson responded,“absolutely.”
“Because a lot of people who go into prison go into prison straight—and when they come out, they’re gay,” Carson said. “So, did something happen while they were in there? Ask yourself that question.”
Cuomo questioned Carson’s logic, pointing out that “most gay people never go to prison and you know there’s a whole theory of dominance .”
Carson then asked Cuomo whether he was denying the validity of his statements.
“I’m not denying that’s true,” Cuomo responded, “but I’m denying that’s a basis of understanding sexuality. A lot of people go into jail a drug addict and come out a criminal. Does that mean all drug addicts are criminals?”
The argument stemmed from a debate over whether the rights of gay individuals to get married were being denied under the Equal Protection Act. Carson reiterated his positon that marriage equality and race-based discrimination were two totally separate issues. Carson has said he supports domestic partner relationships as long as it “does not require changing the definition of marriage.” He also said he believes that the issue of same-sex marriage should be decided at the state level, rather than by the federal government.
Many in the medical community disagreed with Carson’s statements on homosexuality being a choice.
“Although much research has examined the possible genetic, hormonal, developmental, social and cultural influences on sexual orientation, no findings have emerged that permit scientists to conclude that sexual orientation is determined by any particular factor or factors,” the American Psychological Association stated on its website. “Many think that nature and nurture both play complex roles; most people experience little or no sense of choice about their sexual orientation.”
Carson’s earlier comments regarding homosexuality also drew fire. In a 2013 Fox News interview, he said that legalizing marriage would pave the way for legal bestiality and pedophilia. He later apologized, claiming his comments were taken out of context, according to Politico.
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