Chicago-based caterers and longtime partners Dan Smith and Steve McDonagh, who went on to host the Food Network show Party Line With the Hearty Boys after winning the cooking competition show, decided to reach out to Huckabee after he compared allowing gay marriage to the legalization of drug abuse, polygamy and incest—and likened adoption by same-sex couples to getting a new pet.

Speaking to student journalists recently at the College of New Jersey, Huckabee reiterated his longstanding view that gays should not be allowed to adopt. "Children are not puppies," he reportedly said.

In an open letter posted on his blog, natespop, McDonagh urged Huckabee to get to know him, Smith and their 4 1/2-year-old son Nate, whom they adopted at birth.

"Mr. Huckabee, I invite you to spend the evening with us at our home in Chicago next time you come through," McDonagh wrote. "You need to understand and see firsthand what a family like ours is like. We are no less a family than yours, and in fact, we are healthier and more stable than most."

A former governor of Arkansas and Republican presidential candidate, Huckabee now hosts his own show on Fox News and is often named as one of the GOP bigots favorites to make another run for the White House in 2012. Huckabee has backpedaled on his recent comments, claiming they were taken out of context and sensationalized.

"Americans are no longer going to sit silent as our families are attacked," McDonagh wrote. "And even though I find your comments reprehensible and irresponsible, I will open my home to you and pray that we might help you better understand the damage you could inflict."

In a post earlier today, McDonagh said he has reached out to shows like The View in hopes they would cover the story. "I've tried really hard to get as much exposure with this letter as I can," he wrote. "It's an earnest invitation; not a prank or a stunt. We thought that as restaurateurs and event planners that reaching out in this way makes it harder for him to decline."

They have yet to hear from Mr. Huckabee. Perhaps he's out picking up a bottle of wine to bring to dinner.

Speaking of gay, I'll be backstage tomorrow night at the GLAAD Media Awards getting ya scoop from Jane Lynch, Wanda Sykes, Adam Lambert and so much more. Make sure to follow me on Twitter, @marcmalkin.