Romney has a ‘pro-gay’ past - from Pink News - all the latest gay news from the gay community

Romney has a 'pro-gay' past

By Marc Shoffman • December 11, 2006 - 0:00

Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney has proudly spouted his negative attitudes towards gay issues

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Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney has proudly spouted his negative attitudes towards gay issues since coming to power two years ago.

However, it has now been revealed that Mr Romney, a vocal opponent of his state's gay marriage laws, once courted the gay community for their support in a 1994 campaign for the US Senate.

A letter, revealed by Massachusetts newspaper Bay Windows, promises to represent the community, "I think the gay community needs more support from the Republican Party, and I would be a voice in the Republican Party to foster anti-discrimination efforts," it said.

The revelation has angered conservatives in the US. Tony Perkins, president of the conservative Family Research Council, told the New York Times: "This is going to create a lot of problems for Governor Romney, he is going to have a hard time overcoming this."

Other right wing supporters have said it makes him look like a hypocrite.

Mr Romney has been a controversial figure in politics since publicly denouncing the legalisation of same-sex marriages in Massachusetts last year. When same-sex marriage became in May 2005, Romney invoked a 1913 law prevented town clerks from issuing licenses to couples who do not reside in Massachusetts.

Meanwhile, his spokesman, Eric Fehrnstrom, told the Associated Press, that the outgoing Governor supports "traditional marriage" and "the needs of children."

Mr Romney is also rumoured to be interested in running as the 2008 Presidential candidate.

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