Romney's openly gay spokesman Grenell resigns citing criticism over sexuality

Washington, May 2 (ANI): Mitt Romney's foreign policy spokesman, Richard Grenell, has resigned from his post suggesting that conservative criticism over his sexuality prevented him from doing his job effectively.

Grenell, who is openly a gay, said: "I want to thank Governor Romney for his belief in me and my abilities and his clear message to me that being openly gay was a non-issue for him and his team."

The Romney team said that it was Grenell's decision to resign, The Washington Post reports.

"We are disappointed that Ric decided to resign from the campaign for his own personal reasons," campaign manager Matt Rhoades said.

"We wanted him to stay because he had superior qualifications for the position he was hired to fill," Rhoades added.

Romney had chose Grenell last month as his presidential campaign's national security.

Grenell came under fire for a series of tweets aimed at women, including Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton; and Callista Gingrich, the wife of GOP presidential candidate Newt Gingrich.

Matthew J. Franck, director of the William E. and Carol G. Simon Center on Religion and the Constitution at the Witherspoon Institute, termed Grenell as 'loose cannon' with a passion for the 'gay agenda'.

"My problem is that by his own description he is an ardent activist for same-sex marriage who went to work for a candidate who wants to defeat same-sex marriage. It doesn't look good to the people that Romney needs support from to have an advocate for same-sex marriage in such a high-profile position," Frank added. (ANI)

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