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12/14/2006

Mitt defends his record against the crippling blight of acceptance

by Jeremy Hooper

Outgoing Massachusetts governor and likely presidential candidate Mitt Romney has taken the opportunity to refute his past statements implying gay-friendliness and support for gay marriage. He tells National Review:

These old interviews and stories have frequently been circulated by my opponents ever since I took a stand against the Massachusetts supreme-court ruling on same-sex marriage. This being the political season, it is not surprising this old news has appeared again. But I have made clear since 2003, when the supreme court of Massachusetts redefined marriage by fiat, that my unwavering advocacy for traditional marriage stands side by side with a tolerance and respect for all Americans.

Like the vast majority of Americans, I’ve opposed same-sex marriage, but I’ve also opposed unjust discrimination against anyone, for racial or religious reasons, or for sexual preference. Americans are a tolerant, generous, and kind people. We all oppose bigotry and disparagement. But the debate over same-sex marriage is not a debate over tolerance. It is a debate about the purpose of the institution of marriage and it is a debate about activist judges who make up the law rather than interpret the law.

I agree with 3,000 years of recorded history. I believe marriage is a sacred institution between a man and a woman and I have been rock solid in my support of traditional marriage. Marriage is first and foremost about nurturing and developing children. It’s unfortunate that those who choose to defend the institution of marriage are often demonized.

Oh, the people who are trying to keep a sect of the population from marriage, and who in turn offensively refer to their actions as "defending the institution" as if we gays are trying to destroy it, are the ones who are demonized, Mitt? Well what about the gays, who the "pro-family" types commonly demonize as immoral, sick, outside of God's plan, and able to be cured by therapy or prayer?!? You know, the same gays whose equality you said in 1994 should be made "a mainstream concern," yet who you now say are outside of the realm of familial equality? Is their demonization also "unfortunate," Mitt?

Mr. Romney, we've never bought for one second that you are truly gay-friendly. You have said and done so many queer-unfriendly things over the past few years that the re-surfacing of no past gay-accepting statement could trump the non-accpeting rhetoric that you've put out into the ether. But for you to put forth such vehement anti-gay marriage and anti-gay family speech and then claim that you are "opposed to unjust discrimination" is simply infuriating! No matter how you try to sell it, by opposing gay marriage, you are demonizing our lives and loves! When you tie that antipathy into children and family protection, you are painting our lives as if they are threatening to the stability of both! No matter what disingenuous political smile or White House-seeking double speak you use to justify your position, the reality is that you are demonizing us wholly and unapologetically!

What's even worse, is that as governor of the only state where gay marriage is legally, non-Earth-shatteringly taking place, You, Mr. Romney, could've stepped up and become a real civil rights hero. But you sold out your state's gays! Whether you did so because you never truly supported us or because you saw how criticizing gays became the new GOP gravy train, is a moot point in our eyes. You have forfeited or, at the very least, much-delayed your chance to be on the right side of history. Saying so is not an attempt to demonize you; it's merely us refusing to let you so forcibly demonize us while hiding behind the oft-used veil of false compassion and tolerance!

Mr. Romney, the hurt that you and virtually every gay marriage opponent's words have caused in our heart is real. We don't lash out to hurt you back! We do so because we are not demons, but rather living, breathing humans with fully-developed relationships. We're simply sick and tired of your refusal to acknowledge that. You guys are the ones throwing the stones; we're merely defending ourselves from the pelts!

A Primary Factor [NRO]

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