Statement By U.S. Conference of Mayors President Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa And CEO Tom Cochran On President Obama's Support For Same-Sex Marriage

WASHINGTON, May 9, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --  The following statements were issued today by U.S. Conference of Mayors President Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Conference CEO Tom Cochran, in response to President Obama's support for same-sex marriage: 

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Conference President Mayor Villaraigosa:

"Only a day after the disheartening passage of Amendment 1 in North Carolina, the supporters of marriage equality now have a reason to celebrate. With his inspired declaration of support for same-sex marriage, President Obama has significantly advanced the cause of human rights and equality in the United States. We look forward to the day when all Americans – gay and straight – are free to follow their hearts and marry the person they love. If we truly believe in family values, we should value all families."

Conference CEO Cochran:

"The U.S. Conference of Mayors commends President Obama for supporting same sex marriage and we salute our Conference President Villaraigosa for his support of the President. The Conference has a long history of supporting gay rights.  At our 2009 Annual Meeting the mayors adopted strong policy on this issue by unanimously approving a resolution calling for marriage equality and full equal rights for such unions, including family and medical leave, tax equity, and insurance and retirement benefits, and opposing the enshrinement of discrimination in the federal or state constitutions."

The U.S. Conference of Mayors is the official nonpartisan organization of cities with populations of 30,000 or more. There are 1,309 such cities in the country today, and each city is represented in the Conference by its chief elected official, the mayor. Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/usmayors, or follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/usmayors.

SOURCE U.S. Conference of Mayors