The
tax returns for Mitt Romney's charitable foundation reveal that the GOP
presidential hopeful has given at least $35,000 in recent years to
groups actively working to halt the spread of LGBT equality and, in some
cases, intentionally demonize LGBT people. The revelation comes two
weeks after Romney said in New Hampshire that he opposed discrimination
against LGBT Americans. But according to CNN, Romney donated to the
extremist group Massachusetts Family Institute, as well as the Becket
Fund. The Massachusetts Family Institute received $10,000 from Romney in
2006, while the Beckett Fund received $25,000 in 2009. The donations
came from the Tyler Charitable Foundation, set up and funded by the
Romneys.
“This is just another example of Mitt Romney saying one thing while
doing the complete opposite. It’s crystal clear that while Governor
Romney claims to oppose discrimination, he is beholden to groups who
make it their mission to vilify LGBT people,” said Human Rights Campaign
President Joe Solmonese. “Romney’s financial support of extremist
groups is indicative of a politician with rising national ambitions who
knew he had to cozy up to those on the far-right in order to secure his
party’s nomination.”
The Massachusetts Family Institute has long been a vocal opponent of
marriage equality, and believes sexual orientation is a choice that can
be cured. From their website:
“Our compassion is for those struggling with same-sex attraction and we
encourage the healing of individuals who wish to change their choice of
lifestyle…”
The group also is ruthless in its dedication to distorting programs
intended to reduce bullying and make schools safer, more welcoming
environments for all students. It says gay-straight alliances may
violate the Constitution and parental rights, and says associated
programming pushes a radical, pro-homosexual agenda. The organization
has said HRC’s Welcoming Schools initiative isn’t actually about
addressing and preventing dangerous bullying, but instead is aimed at
teaching “children at the youngest ages about homosexual relationships
and same-sex parenting.”
Romney also gave a significant sum of money to the Becket Fund for
Religious Liberty, which describes itself as a nonprofit, nonpartisan,
interfaith group dedicated to protecting the expression of religious
traditions. The group is vehemently anti-marriage equality, and has
argued that allowing committed same-sex couples to marry would trigger a
wave of litigation for religious organizations objecting to performing
or recognizing such ceremonies in states across the nation. The
organization also compared pro-equality demonstrations during the time
when Proposition 8 was a hot-button issue in California to the actions
of the terrorist organization Al-Qaeda.