Atlanta’s LGBT Community Challenges Mayor Reed to Follow Pres. Obama’s Gay Marriage Stance
A Facebook page challenging Mayor Kasim Reed to follow President Obama’s position on gay marriage quickly gathered 3,500 supporters
Could Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed’s stance on gay marriage become a campaign issue?
Thousands in Atlanta’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities say it just might.
At a public forum last year, Mayor Reed said his thoughts on gay marriage were similar to those of President Obama’s at the time: Evolving.
So when the President endorsed same-sex marriage last week, Atlanta-resident Charlie Stadtlander started a Facebook page challenging Reed to do the same.
“I do believe that if the mayor does not get on the right side of this issue, that he will have a difficult time in his reelection campaign within the LGBT community,” says Stadtlander.
While he praises Reed’s past support on LGBT issues, Stadtlander points out the mayor won the last election by about 700 votes.
As of Sunday, the Facebook page had about 3,500 members.
In a statement (full text below), Reed says he appreciates the contributions Atlanta’s LGBT people make to the city. But he says he’s still wrestling with his personal beliefs on gay marriage.
Provided to WABE by Reed spokesman Reese McCranie:
“I respect President Obama’s decision to stand in support of marriage equality. I have fought hard for the rights of gays and lesbians my entire political career from protecting adoption rights for gay and lesbian families, to voting against Georgia’s constitutional ban on same-sex marriage as a state senator, to serving as the state house sponsor for the only hate crimes bill ever passed in the state of Georgia. While I am still wrestling with my own personal beliefs on the issue of marriage, I deeply appreciate the contributions gays and lesbians make to our city every single day and I remain committed to Atlanta’s vibrant and diverse LGBT community.” — Mayor Kasim Reed
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