U.S. Conference of Mayors passes resolution calling for end to marriage discrimination

Yesterday, June 23, at its annual conference in Dallas, the U.S. Conference of Mayors overwhelmingly passed a resolution calling on federal courts, including the Supreme Court, to expeditiously bring an end to marriage discrimination against gay couples nationwide.

Dozens of mayors, including many from states that still restrict marriage to different-sex couples, including Arizona, Texas, Ohio, Colorado, Missouri, and Georgia, were among those who led passage of the resolution.  

The resolution, which passed by voice vote, states: "The United States Conference of Mayors reaffirms its support of the freedom to marry for same-sex couples and urges the federal courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court, to speedily bring national resolution by ruling in favor of the freedom to marry nationwide."

Mayor Greg Stanton of Phoenix – a co-chair of Mayors for the Freedom to Marry, our bipartisan coalition of more than 450 mayors who support marriage – was a leader in introducing the resolution. He celebrated the passage of the resolution yesterday, saying:

We are a stronger, more vibrant and more economically viable when we treat every person equally under the law. I strongly urge our federal courts, states, and cities nationwide to join me in supporting the freedom to marry, because all people should be able to marry the person they love.

Freedom to Marry founder and president Evan Wolfson applauded the resolution and joined the mayors in making the case that America is ready for marriage nationwide. He said:

From small towns to big cities, America’s mayors know that including gay couples in the freedom to marry does nothing but strengthen families and communities for all. The U.S. Conference of Mayors has made it clear that it’s time for the federal appellate courts and the U.S. Supreme Court to follow the lead of numerous states and a wave of over 20 federal and state courts and bring an end to marriage discrimination nationwide. A year after the Supreme Court demolished the arguments propping up marriage discrimination, it’s time for the Court to finish the job and rule in favor of the freedom to marry once and for all.

Read the full text of the marriage resolution passed at yesterday's conference here. And learn more about Mayors for the Freedom to Marry.