I serve as the Co-Chairman of the New York College Republican State Committee and "Im mad

as hell." I have been a vocal supporter of Republican gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino,
until this past weekend. Mr. Paladino told me this weekend that my lifestyle is not equally
valid or successful. Yes, I am an openly gay male. The comments made by Mr. Paladino this
weekend have deeply offended me, my community and everything I stand for. So I have a
message for you, Mr. Paladino:

You have sent the message that my lifestyle and the lifestyles of millions of New Yorkers
are immoral, invalid, unsuccessful and something that we should be ashamed of. Let me
tell you what I am ASHAMED of. I am ashamed to have a candidate at the top of my partys
ticket that would espouse views of hatred and bigotry toward the LGBTQ community or any
other community. I am ashamed to have somebody who wants to serve in New Yorks highest
office who believes that children should not be exposed to alternative lifestyles, as if being
homosexual is a disease they could catch. I am ashamed to hear someone who desires to lead
make divisive and offensive comments toward a community that has suffered unimaginable
tragedies in the past weeks. And I am ashamed to hear a candidate truly believe that by making
these comments he is not furthering bigotry, hate and violence toward the LGBTQ community.

Now let me tell you what I am PROUD of. I am a proud Openly Gay Male and a proud
Republican. I am a proud organizer of the annual NYC Gay Pride March, a celebration of the
gay culture and the many other cultures that we represent as a community. I am proud to be
fighting for the lives of LGBTQ teenagers, of whom we have lost nearly 10 to suicide in the past
several weeks. I am proud to fight for the rights of my community and to stand up to hatred and
violence, even amidst the utterly terrifying hate crimes that have occurred in my own city.

You, Mr. Paladino, have nothing to be proud of. It is truly sad that you believe your comments
are not felt by the entire LGBTQ community; by those of us who have been shaken to the core
by the recent violence against our community. You are unfit for the Governors Mansion, the
government of this state, or a society based on principles of freedom and equality. You owe the
LGBTQ citizens of this state and country an apology. YOU should be ASHAMED.

Kyle T. Collins
Co-Chairman, New York College Republican State Committee
Volunteer Coordinator, NYC Gay Pride March, Heritage of Pride, inc.