WASHINGTON (AP) -- Republican Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney has reaffirmed his opposition to gay marriage and abortion, dismissing criticism that he's flip-flopped on both issues.

The possible 2008 presidential candidate says he's opposed to same-sex marriage, but has also "opposed unjust discrimination against anyone" for racial and religious reasons and for sexual preferences.

The remarks were published online today in an interview with the National Review magazine.

As for abortion, Romney says -- as he has previously -- that while he campaigned for governor as an abortion-rights supporter, he changed his position several years ago after being briefed on embryonic stem-cell research.

The comments were the first for Romney about the issues since the publication last week of a 1994 letter in which he cited his sensitivity to the concerns of a gay GOP group, Log Cabin Republicans.