Rufus Wainwright Speaks Out Against Catholic Cardinal's 'Evil' Gay Bashing

Singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright has spoken out against controversial comments made by Scottish Catholic Cardinal Keith O'Brien regarding same-sex marriage and gays, lesbians and bisexuals.

According to Scotland's Daily Record, O'Brien chastised the British government for proposing the allowance of same sex marriages saying they were "harmful to the physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing of those involved." The Cardinal also described gays, lesbians and bisexuals as being "an evil in the room."

"Actually, he's right," Wainwright, who is gay, said in response. "We are more prone to depression and addiction and early death. Why? Because we don't have the same rights and ability to define our existence how we want to define it, or at least have the same choices and options.

"This sort of thing goes to show that there's a lot of evil in the room."

Wainwright, who described O'Brien's stance as "putting the cart before the horse," said religion is also having an influence in the U.S. regarding sexual education and birth control.

"It's the same in America, where the right wing are trying to stop the availability of free birth control at health centres and churches. The right wing are preposterous in America. It's about religion controlling what women do with their bodies, that old argument rearing its ugly head again."

Wainwright also said he would be marrying his partner Jorn Weisbrodt -- the two are raising a child with Leonard Cohen's daughter -- this summer and "we're both really looking forward to it."

The musician will be releasing a new album titled 'Out of the Game' in April (May 1 in the U.S.), which was produced by Amy Winehouse ally Mark Ronson. Wainwright plays a show March 21 in Virgina before mounting a European tour in Copenhagen on April 23.