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| Ben Carson: Potential Republican presidential candidate says sexuality is a choice because 'straight people turn gay in prison' | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A leading US conservative currently considering a presidential run sparked controversy today when he claimed sexuality was a matter of choice because a lot people entered prison straight and emerged gay. | A leading US conservative currently considering a presidential run sparked controversy today when he claimed sexuality was a matter of choice because a lot people entered prison straight and emerged gay. |
| Ben Carson, a black neurosurgeon-turned-conservative activist, told a US broadcaster the fight for gay marriage equality bore no resemblance to that struggle for civil rights because people “have no control” of their race. | |
| The CNN host then asked Mr Carson if he believed homosexuality was a choice. | The CNN host then asked Mr Carson if he believed homosexuality was a choice. |
| “Absolutely,” Mr Carson replied. “Because a lot of people who go into prison go into prison straight — and when they come out, they’re gay. So, did something happen while they were in there? Ask yourself that question.” | “Absolutely,” Mr Carson replied. “Because a lot of people who go into prison go into prison straight — and when they come out, they’re gay. So, did something happen while they were in there? Ask yourself that question.” |
| Mr Carson recently spoke at a meeting of conservative activists The reaction to Mr Carson's comments was rapid. Many commenting on social media said Mr Carson was simply reaching out to his conservative base as he positions himself of a possible 2016 White House run. | |
| Shaaaaat UP!!! "@TPM: Ben Carson thinks people choose to be gay, and prison proves it http://t.co/ait0YIkXw4 pic.twitter.com/FbHFxSmIMR" | Shaaaaat UP!!! "@TPM: Ben Carson thinks people choose to be gay, and prison proves it http://t.co/ait0YIkXw4 pic.twitter.com/FbHFxSmIMR" |
| Mr Carson is a darling of the conservative right. The 63-year-old is considering a run for the White House in 2016. |