Mayor signs on for marriage equality
Laguna Beach Mayor Jane Egly has signed the Mayors for the Freedom to Marry statement, an online declaration for mayors who believe everyone should have the freedom to get married, regardless of sexual orientation.
As of Thursday, Egly was the only Orange County mayor to sign.
“I was inspired to sign it, for I believe that we all should be able to choose who we want to marry,” Egly wrote in an email. “I hope my signing will keep this issue in front of us all,” and we keep trying to change what the law in California is now.
The movement was created by mayors Michael Bloomberg of New York, Thomas M. Menino of Boston, Annise Parker of Houston, Jerry Sanders of San Diego and Antonio Villaraigosa of Los Angeles, according to the Freedom to Marry website.
More than 160 mayors have signed, and the website encourages residents to start petitions to get the mayors in their own cities to sign.
The statement reads, in part: “As mayors of great American cities, we proudly stand together in support of the freedom of same-sex couples to marry. We personally know many gay and lesbian people living in our cities who are in committed, loving relationships, who are active participants in the civic life of our communities, and who deserve to be able to marry the person with whom they share their life.”
Egly said she was happy to sign, especially because Laguna Beach has always been known for its support of marriage equality.
“I would encourage all mayors and others to join in this,” she wrote. “We need this freedom.”
Twitter: @KellyParkerTCN