By Aaron Blake
Aaron Blake
Senior political reporter, writing for The Fix

Michigan Republican National Committeeman Dave Agema, who caused a stir last month when he posted an article to his Facebook page that labeled the homosexual lifestyle as "filthy," is now comparing homosexuality to alcoholism and says it leads to drug abuse.

Appearing on Family Research Council head Tony Perkins's radio show Wednesday, Agema stressed that he doesn't hate gay people, but that the religious community has an obligation to educate them about the hazards of their lifestyle.

"We want you to know the facts of what’s going to happen to you if you stay in this lifestyle," Agema said. "And study after study after study talks about all the diseases you get, how it just gets you into drugs, it gets you into all these other things that you don’t want to be in. So if you really love someone, if you really are concerned about someone, if you saw your friend for example dying of alcoholism, would you just stand quietly by and watch it happen?"

Some Republicans in Michigan called for Agema's resignation after his initial comments last month. On Wednesday, he attributed that effort to the superior organization and finances of gay groups.

"The problem is, the homosexual community is very organized. They got a lot of money behind them," Agema said. "In fact, the average homosexual makes more than the average person does. They have better education. And they’re really good at shutting anybody down and embarrassing them so they will shut up.”

RNC Chairman Reince Priebus in recent weeks has urged his party to adjust its tone on such issues as immigration and gay marriage. A group of social and religious conservatives sent Priebus a letter this week threatening to leave the party if it abandons its opposition to gay marriage.