In real life, Gerald Cardinale is a dentist.

In political life, he is a state senator who represents the 39th Legislative District. He also sits on the Senate Judiciary Committee.

We hope he is less rude to his patients than he was to Thomas Hoff Prol, whom he called a liar at the hearing on the Marriage Equality Monday. Yup, a liar. But that’s just the short of it.

During the vote on whether or not to send the Freedom of Religion and Equality in Civil Marriage bill (S1967) to the full Senate for consideration, Senator Cardinale made a startlingly observation:

"...if gays are allowed to marry, then others waiting on the sidelines would choose that lifestyle.”

So, according to the good senator, the only thing that separates all heterosexuals from flipping teams is the right to marry. Yup, that’s what he said.

My curiosity got the better of me, and I called his office to ask his source of this assertion. Much to my surprise, he called me back.

The senator was quite courteous, but woefully misinformed.

“What is the source for your assertion that gay marriage will motivate more people to turn gay?” I asked.

“A study from some [unnamed] group in France. That’s why the French decided not to pass gay marriage,” he said. Got it. The French also like Jerry Lewis, so go figure.

Cardinale continued, “Their Real Agenda [that’s how I imagined the spelling in my head with a big R and big A]---is to teach young people about the gay lifestyle in school.”

Finally, he said, “How do we know three people can’t get married under this bill? Or a mother marries her son? Or maybe two people of the same gender in a non-sexual relationship getting married for the benefits? Know what I mean?”.

I sought a clarification. “Two people of the same gender in a non-sexual relationship getting married? You mean like Felix and Oscar?”

‘Yup, like Felix and Oscar,” he chuckled. “If there was an amendment to prevent that from happening, I would have supported this bill.” Wow! Is that all it would have taken to get his vote.

Just how did the Senator get so homophobic? Maybe it has something to do with being a dentist. Say 'Ah!.