Mayor, LGBT Leaders Discuss Same-Sex Marriage Behind Closed Doors

Many in Atlanta’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities continue to call on Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed to endorse same-sex marriage.

Wednesday afternoon, the mayor met with LGBT leaders behind closed doors to talk about his position.

One of those involved in the meeting was Charlie Stadtlander, who organized a Facebook petition challenging Reed’s position on same sex marriage.  It now has more than 4,000 members.

“He reiterated how he’s stood with the LGBT community for so many years, when many others would not,” Stadtlander said after the meeting.  ”He did  ask for tolerance—said that tolerance is a two-way street.”

Stadtlander said the mayor was personally hurt that some have labeled him as anti-gay.

While he called the discussion frank and open, Stadtlander said Reed is still not ready to endorse same-sex marriage. 

Reed spokesman Reese McCranie issued a statement calling the meeting “productive,” adding that the mayor “looks forward to further discussions with the LGBT community.”