Posted on 08/07/2012 6:36:10 AM PDT by xzins
A spokesperson for Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney has advised that the former Massachusetts governor disagrees with the Boy Scout’s current policy prohibiting open homosexuals from serving as members and leaders.
According to The Associated Press, Romney spokeswoman Andrea Saul told the news outlet in an email that Romney still stands by his beliefs that homosexual men should be able to serve in the organization. She specifically noted that Romney had outlined his views in 1994 during a political debate, and that his stance has not changed.
“I support the right of the Boy Scouts of America to decide what it wants to do on that issue,” Romney stated during the debate. “I feel that all people should be able to participate in the Boy Scouts regardless of their sexual orientation.”
As previously reported, last month, the Boy Scouts of America issued a statement reaffirming its policy prohibiting open homosexuals from joining the organization.
“The committee’s work and conclusion is that this policy reflects the beliefs and perspectives of the BSA’s members, thereby allowing Scouting to remain focused on its mission and the work it is doing to serve more youth,” the statement said. “The review included forthright and candid conversation and extensive research and evaluations — both from within Scouting and from outside of the organization.”
The decision to reiterate and reaffirm the Scout’s current policy followed two years of deliberations from an eleven-member committee comprised of Boy Scout executives and other volunteers who represented “a diversity of perspectives and opinions.”
When all was said and done, the committee concluded that the restriction served as “the best policy” for the Boy Scouts.
The current policy reads, “While the BSA does not proactively inquire about the sexual orientation of employees, volunteers, or members, we do not grant membership to individuals who are open or avowed homosexuals or who engage in behavior that would become a distraction to the mission of the BSA.”
Mitt Romney also recently reiterated his support for homosexual adoption. This past May, in an interview with Neil Cavuto of Fox News, he explained that while he is against the concept of homosexual “marriage,” he does believe that homosexual couples should be able to adopt children.
“[I]f two people of the same gender want to live together, want to have a loving relationship, or even to adopt a child, in my state, individuals of the same sex were able to adopt children. In my view, that’s something that people have a right to do,” Romney outlined. “But, to call that ‘marriage’ is something that in my view is a departure from the real meaning of that word.”
He had first outlined his position on the matter in 1996 while talking to CNN’s Wolf Blitzer.
“Well, they are able to adopt children,” he said. “I’m not going to change that.”
Prior to Saul serving as Romney’s press secretary, Richard Grenell, an open homosexual, filled the position.
Related Stories:
disgusting
Ping
Romney doesn’t want “Chick-fil-A” to be part of his campaign, but “Chick-n-Hawk” is AOK!
Mitt Romney never met a homosexual that he didn’t like.
Supports more young boys being sexually abused.
BTW, any statistics on the sexual orientation of pedophiles that prey only on boys?
“I support the right of the Boy Scouts of America to decide what it wants to do on that issue,” Romney stated during the debate. “I feel that all people should be able to participate in the Boy Scouts regardless of their sexual orientation.”
Huh?
I have several opinions here. Which one would you like to help me get elected?
Good for Mitt, I agree with him.
So do I.
As I told 1010RD yesterday, Romney and his spokesperson are the original source for this story.
The gay community caught it first because it was buried at the end of AP story on the boy scouts, and we alll missed it.
You missed the above part of his statement.
You also missed this part the other day, preserved at the top of this article:
A Romney spokeswoman, Andrea Saul, said in an e-mail that this remains Romney's position today.
Every time I edge a little closer to voting for Mitt, he rudely shoves me away.
Big surprise, people don’t like his honesty if they disagree with his position. Unlike the Governmental Overall Director in the White House. Mitt has offered both an understanding that he doesn’t make the rules for the Boy Scouts and he still holds an opinion that differs from theirs. Even worse he is willing to admit that he holds a different opinion without feeling it necessary to legislate against them.
Oh, the horror.
This is yet another hit job. Want to know what Romney thinks NOW rather than 15-20 years ago? Ask him and then quote EXACTLY what he says.
Furthermore, states rights are states rights. If a state wants to support this, or any other cause, conservative or liberal, shouldn't they have the right to do so as long as it doesn't violate the Constitution?
100% of male pedophiles who prey on young boys are HOMOSEXUAL.
Don’t get too close to Mitt ~
Actually, ALL the people who want to put homosexuals into Boy Scouting are mentally deranged.
Why in the world, Laz, would he at virtually the same time say nothing about Chick-fil-A except "that isn't part of my campaign."
He reaffirms his support of gay scouts, but he rejects supporting the first amendment right to speak ones beliefs in support of natural marriage.
One can ONLY conclude that Romney thinks he is sending secret signals to the gay community, and easing any concerns of those liberals and moderates who are gay friendly and also no longer supporting Obama. He knows the ABOs have said they have no place to go except to Romney. This is a giant step to the left by his campaign.
A different opinion that is NOT conservative -that is a horror since he is running as a conservative.
HOWEVER, it is not shocking -I knew he was a panty waisted progressive RINO from day one.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.