Mitt Romney is being criticized for
neglecting to mention Sally Ride's partner of 27 years in offering
his condolences.
The presumed Republican presidential
candidate tweeted on Monday: “Sally Ride ranks among the greatest
of pioneers. I count myself among the millions of Americans she
inspired with her travels to space.”
Ride, the first American woman in
space, passed away at the age of 61 after losing a prolonged 17-month
battle with pancreatic cancer. She and Tam O'Shaughnessy became
romantically involved in 1985, just two years after she made history
as the first American female in space aboard the NASA space shuttle
Challenger.
(Related: Sally
Ride's partner Tam O'Shaughnessy part of the family, Bear Ride says.)
“Mitt Romney paid tribute to Sally
Ride, but neglected to mention her female partner of 27 years or the
federal benefits she will be denied,” Logan Decker tweeted in
response.
“@MittRomney kind of despicable &
grotesque that her partner of 27 years will be denied federal
benefits, don't you think?” indie-rock group The Mountain Goats
messaged.
Another user commented: “Mitt Romney
called Sally Ride a hero. Yet in HIS America, Sally could travel to
space but NOT to the court house to marry her life partner.”
“Oh Mitt Romney, Sally Ride is your
hero? Too bad her partner gets no benefits or marital rights because
she is a woman. Mitt, you are a dick,” tweeted user sarahharbin.