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Paladino To Gay Community: 'I'm Sorry'

NEW YORK (CBS 2) -- Republican candidate for governor Carl Paladino apologized Tuesday for his controversial comments about gays.

After a barrage of criticism, Paladino said he should have chosen better words.

Saying "I have made mistakes," Paladino apologized for statements he's made over the past few days about homosexuals, reports CBS 2's Marcia Kramer.

Paladino said he didn't write the speech he delivered to Orthodox Jewish leaders on Sunday and crossed out content he thought was unacceptable.

However, statements he made afterward seemed to add fuel to the fire, including a comment about a gay pride parade, CBS 2's Chris Wragge reported.

"Have you ever been to one?  The men wear little Speedos and then they grind on each other.  Would you take your children there? I don't think so," Paladino said.

But Tuesday Paladino said he had "made mistakes in this campaign."

"I sincerely apologize for any comment that may have offended the gay and lesbian community or their family members. Any reference to branding an entire community based on a small representation of them is wrong. I will reach out to leaders of the gay community to educate me on how to better represent my support for the rights of all citizens."

Paladino's apology came after his opponent, Democrat Andrew Cuomo, charged that his comments were divisive.

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