It seems like every group has a conference, seminar, meeting, gathering, retreat or spa day lately, and the U.S. Conference of Mayors is no exception. Well, except for the fact that the group passed a resolution in support of ending the exclusion of gay couples from marriage.
Thank you, mayors.
The resolution, titled “Equality and Civil Rights for Gay and Lesbian Americans,” included support for marriage equality, endorsing the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, the Military Readiness Enhancement Act, the Uniting American Families Act, and the Matthew Shepard Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act.
Now, I know to some, it may not seem like a big deal, but today's mayors are tomorrow senators and congressmen and governors and presidents.
When L.A.'s Mayor Villaragosa spoke at the Stop H8 rally (after it had passed) in downtown L.A., he earned a huge amount of good will from me. It really does show a sense of forward-thinking that mayors are willing to step up to the plate for GLBT citizens. And it's vital to my optimism in light of the complete leadership void at the top we're experiencing right now.
ReplyDeleteYou have to start some where and this gives us a strong base to grow from.
ReplyDeleteThis is a huge body of civil administrators and although job security for them is tenuous at best, each swings a lot of political clout locally in the grass roots kingdom.
ReplyDeleteThis is encouraging.
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