Perry Clarifies Statement - Still Opposes Equality

A few days ago Rick Perry surprised a lot of people by inferring that he is in favor of equality -- as long as that equality was granted on a state-by-state basis. I was one of those surprised, since I had always considered America's worst governor to be a died-in-the-wool homophobe.

Recently New York passed a law granting gays/lesbians the same rights that other Americans have -- the right to get married and reap all the benefits that comes along with a state-sanctioned marriage. And amazingly, Rick Perry made a statement that sounded like he was in favor of same-sex weddings (as long as they didn't happen in Texas).

Perry said, "Our friends in New York, six weeks ago, passed a statute that said marriage can be between two people of the same sex. Well you know what, that's New York and that's their business and that's fine with me." I thought that was an abnormally broad-minded statement, especially for a right-wing fundamentalist nut-job like Perry. Most other right-wing fundies were screaming as though it actually affected them in some way (although they still can't explain how).

Those same fundies made it clear to Perry that they were very unhappy with his statement. How dare he be in favor of equality, even in another state! They made it clear that if he wanted to keep his teabagger credentials he would oppose equality everywhere -- even in New York. And Perry heard them loud and clear.

Yesterday he issued a clarification saying, "I probably needed to add a few words after that 'it's fine with me'. Obviously, gay marriage [equality] is not fine with me."

So I guess hell (if such a thing exists) is not going to freeze over this week. Perry is still a homophobe who despises the thought of all Americans enjoying equal rights.