Last week when Bay Buchanan, a spokeswoman for Mitt Romney, announced that the Republican candidate supports the idea of states adopting their own laws regarding same-sex marriage, it seemed almost too good to be true. Alas, just days later, Romney’s team was on the case and Buchanan backtracked her statements, reiterating—once again—that Romney “supports a federal marriage amendment to the Constitution that defines marriage as an institution between a man and a woman.”
Although Romney has quickly flip-flopped on his stance, it shouldn’t come as a shock. He has publicly signed a petition for the National Organization for Marriage, pledging to defend DOMA and the “one man, one woman” definition of marriage. What might come as a shock, however, is a letter he wrote in 1994 to the Log Cabin Club of Massachusetts during the election season. In the letter, he states:
“As a result of our discussions and interactions with gay and lesbian voters across the state, I am more convinced than ever before that as we seek to establish full equality for America’s gay and lesbian citizens, I will provide more effective leadership than my opponent.”
These are bold words coming from a Republican in the ‘90s. But even in 2002, Romney seemed to support the idea of same-sex marriage when he wished the LGBT community to have “a great Pride weekend!”
In 2003, when same-sex marriage was headed for legalization in Massachusetts, Romney’s tone changed. He began asserting his stance on adopting an amendment for the Massachusetts Constitution to make it “expressly clear” that marriage is “a special institution” only meant for heterosexuals, although gays should still receive some of the same benefits appropriated to straight married couples.
With Election Day just around the corner, it is unlikely that Romney will flip-flop again and become a supporter for marriage equality. Should he win this election, he has made it very clear that he will push for a precise definition of marriage. The good news? He believes gay couples should enjoy benefits such as hospital visits and adoption. The bad news? Gays will still be revoked of their rights as human beings to be lawfully married.
Photo: mittromney.com; buzzfeed.com
