In the long-standing debate on whether homosexual people were influenced by nature or nurture, Ohio Governor and Republican presidential aspirant John Kasich has made a stand.
During a forum in San Francisco hosted by the Commonwealth of California Club, 62-year-old resident Kelly Bryan challenged the presidential candidate to respond to this controversial statement: "Gay people are human beings and not a lifestyle choice. Please respond without prayer being an answer."
In response, Kasich said he does not "believe in discrimination."
"I think there is a balance, however, between discrimination and people's religious liberties. But I think we should just try to, like, take a chill pill, relax, and try to get along with one another a little bit better instead of trying to write some law to solve a problem that doesn't frankly exist in big enough numbers to justify more lawmaking," the Ohio governor told the crowd, as quoted by CNN.
After Kasich made this statement, Bryan pointed out how members of the Republican Party supposedly "don't believe in marriage equality."
The Republican candidate responded by saying that he stands for heterosexual marriage, but does not mind attending same-sex unions.
"I believe in traditional marriage, (but) I just went to a gay wedding," Kasich said. "My wife and I went to the wedding. It was great, it was fine."
He added that he does not necessarily take his party's stand hook, line and sinker.
"Well, no, they don't tell me what to do about the platform. The Republican Party is my vehicle, not my master," he added. "I have a right to define the Republican Party, too."
When the member of the audience once again asked Kasich if he believes some people are born gay, the Ohio governor said: "Do I think that people are, you know, born gay? Probably. I've never studied the issue. But I don't see any reason to hurt you or to discriminate you or make you feel bad or make you feel like a second-class citizen. I don't think that's right."
Kasich also called for greater tolerance for homosexuals in America.
"So let's just, like, respect one another a little bit more, tolerate each other's individual beliefs," he said. "And I'm not gonna sign any laws in Ohio that is going to create a discrimination against anybody."
