Romney Pledged in '94 to Seek Gay Rights
Associated Press
Sunday, December 10, 2006; Page A15
BOSTON, Dec. 9 -- Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R) is facing new questions about his beliefs on gay issues after the emergence of a letter he wrote during his 1994 U.S. Senate run, in which he promised to be a stronger advocate for gays than Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D).
The Massachusetts governor has emphasized his opposition to same-sex marriage in recent months as he positions himself for an expected 2008 run for the Republican presidential nomination.
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The 1994 letter was written to the Log Cabin Club of Massachusetts, a gay Republican group, when Romney was courting gay voters during his unsuccessful campaign against Kennedy.
Citing Kennedy's record of advocacy for gays and lesbians, Romney wrote: "For some voters, it might be enough to simply match my opponent's record in this area. But I believe we can and must do better. If we are to achieve the goals we share, we must make equality for gays and lesbians a mainstream concern. My opponent cannot do this. I can and will."
A gay-oriented Massachusetts newspaper, Bay Windows, has also released a transcript of a 1994 interview with Romney during the Senate race.
"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," Romney said, according to the transcript.
Tony Perkins, president of the conservative Family Research Council, said Romney's comments were "quite disturbing."
"This is going to create a lot of problems for Governor Romney," Perkins told the New York Times. "He is going to have a hard time overcoming this."
Conservative activist Paul M. Weyrich told the Times, "Unless he comes out with an abject repudiation of this, I think it makes him out to be a hypocrite."
Romney was wrapping up a week-long trip to Asia on Saturday and could not be reached for comment.
In an e-mailed statement, Romney spokesman Eric Fehrnstrom said that, as governor, Romney has supported "traditional marriage" and "the needs of children."
