Progressives and liberal journalists are often far too quick to label Republicans as anti-gay. But even a broken clock is right twice a day—and many people are raising legitimate concerns about the GOP’s new Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson.

In the early 2000s, Johnson worked for the ultra-social conservative group Alliance Defending Freedom. And in writings from that period in his life, CNN reports, the Republican lawmaker made some shocking statements about gay people and even defended the criminalization of homosexuality.

“Homosexual relationships are inherently unnatural and, the studies clearly show, are ultimately harmful and costly for everyone,” Johnson wrote. “Society cannot give its stamp of approval to such a dangerous lifestyle. If we change marriage for this tiny, modern minority, we will have to do it for every deviant group. Polygamists, polyamorists, pedophiles, and others will be next in line to claim equal protection. They already are. There will be no legal basis to deny a bisexual the right to marry a partner of each sex, or a person to marry his pet.”