Director of the CIA Mike Pompeo has been taken to task over his views on LGBTIQ+ rights, with Senator Cory Booker challenging his past remarks that gay sex is a "perversion".
According to reports by the Washington Post, the heated exchange took place during a Senate confirmation hearing earlier today and began with Booker asking: “Is being gay a perversion?"
Dodging the question, Pompeo, who is Trump's pick for Secretary of State, responded by reiterating his belief that same-sex couples shouldn't be able to get married.
“Senator, when I was a politician, I had a very clear view on whether it was appropriate for two same-sex persons to marry. I stand by that,” he said.
Still, Booker pressed on - "Do you believe that gay sex is a perversion? Yes or no?"
"I’m going to give you the same answer I gave you previously. My respect for every individual… is the same," Pompeo said.
"I believe it’s the case we have married gay couples at the CIA. You should know I treated them with the exact same set of rights," he added. "My respect for every individual, regardless of the sexual orientation, is the same."
Pompeo previously called the legalisation of same-sex marriage “a shocking abuse of power”.
