During Mitt Romney’s tenure as governor of Massachusetts, his administration blocked the publication of a state anti-bullying guide because it used the terms “bisexual” and “transgender,” new documents obtained by the Boston Globe and interviews with former state officials reveal. At the time of the delay in 2006, Romney aides said that the document required further review. But an email from a top-ranking Department of Public Health official said that “Because this is using the terms ‘bisexual’ and ‘transgendered,’ DPH’s name may not be used in this publication.”
This isn’t the first time that reports of Romney shying away from association with LGBT issues in the later years of his administration. Critics say that he was moving to the right on social issues in preparation for his 2008 presidential bid.
From the Globe:
In a highly publicized incident in May 2006, Romney threatened to shut down the Governor’s Commission on Gay and Lesbian Youth because it issued a press release with his name on it promoting a parade to celebrate gay, bisexual, and transgender teens. He quickly backed off the threat. In July 2006, Romney vetoed a $158,000 budget line item that was earmarked for counseling violence victims in the “LGBT community.’’ The appropriation was intended to prevent sexual violence and rape, and also for suicide prevention.
The move to block the bullying report immediately followed Romney’s threat to shut down the Gay and Lesbian Youth Commission.
TPM previously reported on Romney’s battles with the LGBT anti-bullying commission as governor.
