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Mass. Gov. Attempts To Abolish Gay Youth Commission
by The Associated Press
May 11, 2006 - 9:00 pm ET
(Boston, Massachusetts) Gov. Mitt Romney briefly attempted to abolish the Governor's Commission on Gay and Lesbian Youth on Thursday because of its association with a gay pride rally, but quickly reversed himself, the chairwoman of the commission said.
A spokesman for the governor denied that Romney issued an executive order abolishing the commission but acknowledged the governor considered taking that action.
Commission chairwoman Kathleen Henry said she received a call shortly before 3 p.m. from Romney chief of staff Beth Myers saying that Romney had issued an executive order abolishing the commission.
That sparked an uproar from lawmakers and supporters of the commission, which prompted a second call from Myers just after 5 p.m., Henry said, telling her that Romney had decided against abolishing the commission, but would instead call for it to refocus on helping gay and lesbian youth.
"I am so thrilled at the response from people on the hill and from the community at large," Henry said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. "It has just been extraordinary"
Romney spokesman Eric Fehrnstrom said Romney never issued an executive order. He said Romney weighed shutting down the commission.
"We considered abolishing the commission, but the governor thought that was too harsh," Fehrnstrom said.
He confirmed that Myers had more than one phone conversation with Henry, but said he didn't know what was said.
"We are directing the commission not to use taxpayer money for parades and parties but instead to focus their resources on counseling and the development of strategies for the prevention of violence and suicide," Fehrnstrom said.
The action came just two days before a planned youth pride rally for gay teens, organized in part by the commission.
Fehrnstrom said Romney's action came after a press release on the governor's office stationery went out without Romney's approval announcing the rally in celebration of "gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer (GLBTQ) youth and their supporters."
He said the press release was "not something that we would have the governor associated with."
Henry said no tax dollars were being spent on the rally.
by The Associated Press
May 11, 2006 - 9:00 pm ET
(Boston, Massachusetts) Gov. Mitt Romney briefly attempted to abolish the Governor's Commission on Gay and Lesbian Youth on Thursday because of its association with a gay pride rally, but quickly reversed himself, the chairwoman of the commission said.
A spokesman for the governor denied that Romney issued an executive order abolishing the commission but acknowledged the governor considered taking that action.
Commission chairwoman Kathleen Henry said she received a call shortly before 3 p.m. from Romney chief of staff Beth Myers saying that Romney had issued an executive order abolishing the commission.
That sparked an uproar from lawmakers and supporters of the commission, which prompted a second call from Myers just after 5 p.m., Henry said, telling her that Romney had decided against abolishing the commission, but would instead call for it to refocus on helping gay and lesbian youth.
"I am so thrilled at the response from people on the hill and from the community at large," Henry said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. "It has just been extraordinary"
Romney spokesman Eric Fehrnstrom said Romney never issued an executive order. He said Romney weighed shutting down the commission.
"We considered abolishing the commission, but the governor thought that was too harsh," Fehrnstrom said.
He confirmed that Myers had more than one phone conversation with Henry, but said he didn't know what was said.
"We are directing the commission not to use taxpayer money for parades and parties but instead to focus their resources on counseling and the development of strategies for the prevention of violence and suicide," Fehrnstrom said.
The action came just two days before a planned youth pride rally for gay teens, organized in part by the commission.
Fehrnstrom said Romney's action came after a press release on the governor's office stationery went out without Romney's approval announcing the rally in celebration of "gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer (GLBTQ) youth and their supporters."
He said the press release was "not something that we would have the governor associated with."
Henry said no tax dollars were being spent on the rally.