By Bob Kecskemety

Photo: Craig Lowe of Gainsville, FL (right) and Annise Parker of Houston, TX (lower) are among the “Mayors for Freedom to Marry”. Both Lowe and Parker share the distinction of being the first known-gay Mayors of their regions.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – More than 80 mayors of U.S. cities in 25 states have formed a coalition to support marriage equality. The group, “Mayors for Freedom to Marry,” was formed last weekend at the U.S. Conference of Mayors in conjunction with the LGBT right group Freedom to Marry. The coalition is chaired by some of America’s most visible municipal chief executives: Mayor Michael Bloomberg of New York City, Mayor Thomas Menino of Boston, Mayor Jerry Sanders of San Diego, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa of Los Angeles, and Mayor Annise Parker of Houston, who is openly gay. Mayors for Freedom to Marry have called for the repeal of the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), and the ratification of the pro-marriage equality Respect of Marriage Act.

In the signing statement, the founding mayors wrote: “We are a diverse group of mayors –from small cities in Indiana and Maine, to the four largest cities in America. Our cities are culturally, racially, and geographically diverse, but we share one important value: a common commitment to fairness. We invite our colleagues to join us in signing this statement as we advocate for the freedom to marry and build a nation where all loving couples who want to make the life-long commitment can share in the joy and respect of marriage.”

Among the mayors who signed the Mayors for Freedom to Marry statement, six are from Florida: Craig Lowe (Gainesville), Joy Cooper (Hallandale Beach), Craig Cates (Key West), Lori Moseley (Miramar), Frank Ortis (Pembroke Pines), and Jeri Muoio (West Palm Beach). No mayor of a major metropolitan area of Florida signed the statement,
and none serves in a Miami-Dade County municipality.

PHOTO:  ED SCHIPUL flickr.com/eschipul