By The Associated Press
SAGINAW – State Sen. Michael J. Goschka brushed off an apology demand from a gay rights group upset by his description of unions between committed homosexual couples as "utter perversity."
The Brant Township Republican voted Oct. 6 with a majority of the Senate in favor of resolutions urging the Michigan Supreme Court to block public-sector employers, including state government, from providing health insurance to the partners of gay employees until the court makes a final ruling on the issue.
In an e-mail sent to a constituent earlier in the week, Goschka invoked God and Christian principles as "bedrock" reasons for gays not to be covered by health insurance through a partner's public-sector job.
"Homosexual and lesbian unions under any arrangement does not, and never will, constitute a family," the senator wrote, adding later: "Simply put, no homosexual or lesbian union is ever appropriate; rather, it is utter perversity."
The constituent, a Saginaw Valley State University employee, had urged Goschka to oppose the resolutions, calling them "anti-family and unfair," prompting Goschka's response.
"A legitimate family, as ordained by God, can only exist between a man and a woman within the context of marriage," the senator wrote Oct. 3. "As a committed Christian, I recognize this as a bedrock principle."
Goschka's words incensed Jay Crane of Bay City, president of Parents, Friends and Families of Lesbians and Gays.
"I see it as very hateful to put the term 'utter perversity' on any group," said Crane.
"I see it as endorsing hateful actions and behavior against a minority group or individuals," Crane told The Saginaw News for a story published Oct. 7. "We call on Senator Goschka to apologize for his hateful condemnation of our loved ones."
Goschka laughed at the demand.
"They should apologize for their lifestyle and tolerating something so terrible," he said. "The lifestyle, the act itself, it is utterly perverse. It's not natural."
Goschka said his comments weren't intended to be a personal attack.
"I've had gays work for me," he said. "Not a lot. But I don't ask."
