70-plus U.S. mayors join in support of gay marriage

ASSOCIATED PRESS

NEW YORK -- Mayors of more than 70 cities are joining forces to support gay marriage.

The mayors of Boston, Houston, Los Angeles, New York and San Diego will co-chair the Mayors for the Freedom to Marry group being formally launched Friday at the U.S. Conference of Mayors in Washington, D.C.

The office of New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg released details of the announcement on Thursday. The mayors joining the group are pledging to make the case for gay marriage in their individual communities.

The mayors' group will be linked to the Freedom to Marry advocacy group, which is campaigning to overturn the Defense of Marriage Act.

In addition to Bloomberg, participating mayors include:

• Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa of Los Angeles
• Mayor Jerry Sanders of San Diego
• Mayor Thomas M. Menino of Boston
• Mayor Annise Parker of Houston
• Mayor Marilyn Strickland of Tacoma

Comments

[TimothyHare]

Grateful that our Easton, Pennsylvania, Mayor Mayor Salvatore J. Panto Jr., while not on the list of 'big city mayors' has publicly supported full marriage equality for his constituents.

[Davidcaryhart]

Rahm Emanuel is also part of the group.