Mrs. Paladino Open to Marriage Equality

Cathy Paladino, wife of New York gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino, suggested that she would be open to marriage equality, which her husband vigorously opposes.

Mrs. Paladino spoke Thursday with The New York Times in Buffalo, where she also blamed the news media for misrepresenting her husband as a "man full of hate." Last weekend the Republican nominee, who has a gay nephew working for his campaign, told ultra-Orthodox Jewish religious leaders that children should not be taught that homosexuality is an "equally valid or successful option."

According to the Times, "Mr. Paladino has forcefully opposed same-sex marriage, but in the interview, Ms. Paladino suggested that she would be open to it. 'I have gay friends, and they're some of the most generous, loving people you ever want to meet,' she said. 'If they want to live together and be together and share a life, that's their business.'"

Mrs. Paladino, who has been married to her husband for 40 years, said they have not discussed the issue since he made the remarks last Sunday.