Nope – Ben Carson says without a doubt, homosexuality is a conscious choice people make. And the potential 2016 presidential candidate says you have to look no further than prison culture to reach the same conclusion as him.

Carson made the comments Wendesday morning to CNN’s Chris Cuomo on “New Day” while discussing gay marriage.

“What if people of a state vote for a law, 100-0, that winds up infringing on the rights of a minority?” Cuomo asked. “Like happened very often with slavery, and like many would argue is happening now with people who are gay.”

Carson said that’s a flawed comparison, because “people have no control over their race.”

When asked if he thinks people have control over their sexuality, Carson said “absolutely.”

And then he pulled out the prison sex comparison to try to make his point.

“Because a lot of people who go into prison go into prison straight — and when they come out, they’re gay,” Carson said. “So, did something happen while they were in there? Ask yourself that question.”

Well at least this guy isn’t going to try to run for President. Wait, he is? And he’s a neurosurgeon? Oh, ok. I’m not sure why Ben thought this would be a good idea, or who he was trying to appeal to with these comments, but whenever you’re on the front page of most major newspapers in March of 2015 while you’re attempting to campaign for a presidential run that is well over a year away, it’s probably not a good thing. I just don’t understand how in the year 2015 people still go out in public and talk like this. I understand that there are ignorant people in the world, and I understand that some people are going to believe what they want to believe no matter what, but to go on a national television station and say this is beyond my comprehension. I’m not saying everyone is going to agree on gay marriage or peoples sexuality, but if you’re brought to the table to discuss the topic, have a better explanation than “guys have sex with each other in prison”. Or don’t, and go away forever, which is what I hope happens to Ben Carson.

– Ryan