“‘I unequivocally support gay rights. Unequivocally,’ said Paladino, clutching an American flag and marching up Fifth Avenue in New York’s annual Columbus Day Parade. But Paladino repeated his view, expressed earlier Monday on ABC and NBC, that children should be shielded from gay activities, especially their parades.

“‘Those guys in the gay pride parade who like to wear the little Speedos and do their grinding motion up there — children should not see that,’ Paladino said, wagging his finger for emphasis and calling his opponent, Democrat Andrew Cuomo, ‘wrong’ for taking part in New York City’s gay pride march and letting his children watch it.

“He denied that his comments Sunday night to Orthodox Jewish leaders — saying children should not be “brainwashed” to believe the gay lifestyle is ‘valid’ — amounted to homophobia or insensitivity toward gays. They simply mirror the teachings of the Catholic Church, the Catholic candidate said, adding that if Cuomo disagreed, ‘he should go see a priest.'”

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“With the march up Fifth Avenue barely begun, Mr. Paladino was surrounded by two dozen journalists. After they kept peppering him with questions about his comments about homosexuality, Mr. Paladino lost his temper. ‘Would you take your children to the gay pride parade?’ he said. ‘Tell me! Huh?’…

“Mr. Paladino, however, faced a torrent of criticism, not only from gay advocates but also from fellow Republicans. Former Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani called the remarks ‘highly offensive.’

“‘He should recognize his remarks were highly offensive, and he should apologize for them,’ Mr. Giuliani said.”

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“Cuomo was also mobbed by reporters. He was clearly upset by Paladino’s remarks and tried to lob a broadside of his own at the blunt speaking businessman’s comments.

“‘They were reckless in light of all the recent violence that we’ve had. They were divisive. They were the worst cynical politics trying to pit people against one another, trying to pit groups against one another,’ Cuomo said. ‘It is repugnant to the content of what New York is.’…

“‘There are many people in New York who find me very fit because I do speak on issues and I do stand up for the rights of the people, all the people, all the time, including all homosexuals, yes,’ Paladino said.”

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