Ben Carson is apologizing for suggesting that “a lot of people who go into prison straight” come out gay.
OnWednesday evening the retired pediatric neurosurgeon and newly announced 2016 Republican candidate walked back comments he made in a CNN interview that aired early Wednesday.
“Because a lot of people who go into prison go into prison straight — and when they come out, they’re gay,” Carson originally said. “So, did something happen while they were in there? Ask yourself that question.”
In a statement to CNN’s Carol Costello Wednesday night, he apologized after facing harsh criticism for his words.
“I realized that my choice of language does not reflect fully my heart on gay issues,” Carson said. “I do not pretend to know how every individual came to their sexual orientation. I regret that my words to express that concept were hurtful and divisive. For that I apologize unreservedly to all that were offended.”
Carson’s statement also reasserts that he supports gay rights and the right of states to decide to ban or legalize gay marriage.
“I support human rights and Constitutional protections for gay people, and I have done so for many years. I support civil unions for gay couples, and I have done so for many years. I support the right of individual states to sanction gay marriage, and I support the right of individual states to deny gay marriage in their respective jurisdictions,” he concluded.
Carson, who announced Tuesday he had filed paperwork to run for president in 2016, is polling fourth in a crowded 2016 field, according to a RealClearPolitics average of polls.
