Ohio gubernatorial candidate compares gays to arsonists, kleptomaniacs

In a newspaper interview Sunday, the Republican candidate for Ohio's governorship, J. Kenneth Blackwell, compared gay people to arsonists and kleptomaniacs who can be "changed." The religious conservative and current secretary of state made the controversial remarks in a question-and-answer session with The Columbus Dispatch, Ohio's largest paper.

"I think homosexuality is a lifestyle, it's a choice, and that lifestyle can be changed," Blackwell said in response to the question "Is homosexuality a sin, and can gays be cured?" according to published transcripts. "I think it is a transgression against God's law, God's will."

He continued: "The reality is, again...that I think we make choices all the time. And I think you make good choices and bad choices in terms of lifestyle. Our expectation is that one's genetic makeup might make one more inclined to be an arsonist or might make one more inclined to be a kleptomaniac. Do I think that they can be changed? Yes."

Gay rights supporters in the state were outraged, with Equality Ohio denouncing Blackwell's statement. "I don't need to tell you that Ken Blackwell is a serious obstacle to equality for LGBT people in Ohio," said Bo Shuff, director of education and public policy for Equality Ohio, in a statement. "Ohioans need officials who lead with vision—not division." (The Advocate)

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