In a striking and unexpected reversal from his former position, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed has announced his support for same-sex marriage:
"It is well known that I have gone through a good bit of reflection on this issue, but listening to the stories of so many people that I know and care about has strengthened my belief that marriage is a fundamental right for everyone. Loving couples, regardless of their sexual orientation, should have the right to marry whomever they want. By signing this resolution, I pledge my support to marriage equality for same-sex couples, consistent with equal protection under the law provided under the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution.""
Reed, who has supported other LGBTQI causes in the past, going back to his days as a member of Georgia's General Assembly, has fought pledging has public support on this issue until now. His reluctance made him an outlier when several dozen mayors across the United States announced their support as part of the Mayors for the Freedom to Marry campaign back in January. It is also believed that Reed lost out on a plum speaking assignment during this year's Democratic convention after President Obama came out in support of same-sex marriage in May and, soon after, the Democratic plank adopted a resolution fully supporting marriage equality.
Kasim Reed is widely expected to run for re-election next year when his term as mayor ends.
You can read the full text of his statementh here.
© 2012, Victor Hoff. All rights reserved. Menofcolor.blogs.com
Comments