With Nashville mayor’s support, mayors in every Southern state are speaking up for marriage

Today, August 21, Mayor Karl Dean of Nashville, Tennessee became the first mayor in Tennessee to join Mayors for the Freedom to Marry, a broad-based, nonpartisan coalition of nearly 500 mayors who are speaking up for why marriage matters for same-sex couples in their communities.

Nashville Mayor Karl Dean said today:

I believe that all people should be treated fairly and equally and that their individual dignity should be respected. Embracing and celebrating our growing diversity makes our city stronger. Nashville needs to continue in that direction, and it’s my hope that joining this effort will help us do that.

With the addition of Mayor Dean, the Mayors for the Freedom to Marry program now includes mayors from all 14 Southern states. Since February, Freedom to Marry has led Southerners for the Freedom to Marry, a campaign launched in partnership with 16 state and regional partner organizations committed to winning marriage across the South and throughout the country.

Evan Wolfson, founder and president of Freedom to Marry, applauded Mayor Dean's support today. He said:

Joining mayors across the country, Nashville's mayor today is standing up for families in his community and speaking out in support of the freedom to marry. Tennessee's denial of the freedom to marry directly harms the state's more than 10,000 same-sex couples and their loved ones, and by putting obstacles in the path of businesses and families, drags everyone down. We welcome Mayor Dean as another voice in favor of moving Tennessee, the South, and all of America to the right side of history.

Mayors for the Freedom to Marry range from geographically diverse cities both large and small, in states with the freedom to marry and in states where marriage cases are pending in the courts. 

Nearly 500 mayors in states across the country are members of Mayors for the Freedom to Marry. Make sure your mayor supports marriage for all here.