(CNN) - Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett's stance on same-sex marriage is no secret, after bringing a legal challenge against a county clerk who tried to sign marriage licenses for same-sex couples. Friday, Corbett went a step further, comparing gay marriage to a union between siblings.
In an interview with CNN affiliate WHP-TV, Corbett was answering a question about comments made by a member of his legal team who had compared same-sex marriage to the marriage of 12 year-olds, with both unions being illegal.
Corbett, a Republican, said that "It was an inappropriate analogy. I think a much better analogy would have been brother and sister, don't you?"
The national gay and lesbian group Human Rights Campaign was quick to condemn Corbett's comment. "Corbett's extremist views are inaccurate, dangerous, and gravely insulting to committed and loving gay and lesbian couples," the HRC said in a statement.
When asked for further comment, Corbett's office released a statement from the governor: "My words were not intended to offend anyone. If they did, I apologize," Corbett said in the statement.
"I explained that current Pennsylvania statute delineates categories of individuals unable to obtain a marriage license. As an example, I cited siblings as one such category, which is clearly defined in state law. My intent was to provide an example of these categories."
Sen. Casey endorses same-sex marriage, an issue of 'conscience'
Pennsylvania is currently fighting a lawsuit in federal court aimed at overturning the state's same-sex marriage ban. The lawsuit was brought after the June Supreme Court rulings on gay marriage, one of which overturned a key part of the federal Defense of Marriage Act.
Supreme Court strikes down controversial DOMA provision
High court lets same-sex marriages in California continue
Last month in a separate case, a Pennsylvania judge ordered a suburban Philadelphia county clerk to comply with the state's 1996 same-sex marriage ban and stop issuing marriage licenses to gay couples. D. Bruce Hanes, the elected Montgomery County register of wills, had been giving out marriage licenses since July, recognizing the weddings of nearly 200 same-sex couples.
Pennsylvania judge orders clerk to obey same-sex marriage ban
The lawsuit to stop Hanes was brought by the state Department of Health, which said he is in "direct defiance" of the ban and "risks causing serious and limitless harm to the public."
–CNN's Bryan Koenig and Sara Ganim contributed to this report.
How do these narrow minded people get in such positions of power???
And I think Penn State's sex scandal is one of the biggest cover-ups in American history. What part did you play in that governor? You can't tell me you didn't know anything about it.
I just have one question to ask providing the moderators don't delete it again.
Who in their right mind thinks it's better for a man that is attracted to other men and enjoys their company to pretend to want to be with a woman? Is it better to deny who and what you are? And who are we to judge?? If same sex couples want to be together let them!
Dear Republicans:
If you want to have any power in the future, I suggest you work on your messaging in regards to Same Sex Marriage.
@Wake up People,
"How do these narrow minded people get in such positions of power???"
Narrow-minded voters, mostly. Perils of democracy, I guess. (shrugs sadly)
So it's better for a gay man to pretend he's straight??
Is this better Foxlite?
We've talked more about private sex lives than National debt, that's for sue!
Where is our favorite poster "just sayin-just askin-freedom" today? Taking in more important wisdom from "Fox and Friends"?
Is that Corbett's kids in the background? They sure look like a happy bunch!
Just another Republican idiot that should never have been elected governor. I really blame the people who vote for idiots like this. All they do is empower them and their idiot ideas. I have no idea how, or where, he could even come up with a statement like this. If this is what education does to people then maybe we should stop pushing our kids for a college education.
Tom Corbett / Vladimir Putin 2016
How could anyone mistake that for an insult, they really don't hear themselves sometimes do they?
Gays should be free to be as miserable in marriage as straight people.
What an odd family this man must come from.
Wake up People!
How do these narrow minded people get in such positions of power???
---
Narrow minded Obama thought the same way just last year. Did you attack him?
Donna, could you get a hold of just sayin, I think he has overdosed on koolaid, hate to see him go!
Donna, go burn a cross or something, please.
And btw Donna, while President Obama may not have been for it originally, he did not liken it to incest.
He's got it right. Actually – its worse.
Because people like Donna are just clueless. The nerve to call President Obama narrow-minded when she of all people hates the man only because he is black. She and the rest of the teatrolls just want to run peoples private lives because they don't have one. Donna go find a life or hobby to keep uyou out of other peoples business. Hey I have an idea go explain to Michelle Bachman that her husband is as gay as they come, maybe that will keep you busy for awhile. I don't see you bashing her husband because he is definitely gay. You or she can deny it all you want, but the truth is in the pudding.
-Donna
Wake up People!
How do these narrow minded people get in such positions of power???
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Narrow minded Obama thought the same way just last year. Did you attack him?
********************
No, because nothing in his previous statements was remotely as inflammatory as this. Even you know that.
The repugnican bible thumper shows his colors, I wonder how many skeletons are hiding in his closet. Methinks he doth protest too much.
WOW!!! The truth and pointing out Obama's hypocrisy really stirs up the lunatics on the left!! Poor poor babies!!
And they wonder why they are losing voters...
From the looks on his childrens faces, he may be in for a rude awakening one day soon.