Mayor Kasim Reed speaks out on marriage equality ahead of Supreme Court decision

Life is about moments, he said, and one of those key moments in history is currently in the hands of the U.S. Supreme Court. Georgia is a state where a state constitutional ban on same-sex marriage exists and it is going to take national recognition of same-sex couples for Georgia to recognize marriage equality, he said. Reed noted he voted against putting the amendment on the ballot in 2004 when he was a state senator.

“We need the help of the U.S. Supreme Court to stand behind the principle that all of us are created equally. Those in a long-term, loving relationship have the same rights as heterosexual couples,” Reed said.

He said that the country and cities tend to move forward on issues like marriage equality quicker than Congress and the U.S. Supreme Court do and “we have a long path to go” to eliminate all vestiges of discrimination.

Other mayors on the call included U.S. Conference of Mayors President Michael Nutter of Philadelphia; Chapel Hill Mayor Mark Kleinschmidt, who is openly gay; San Antonio Mayor Julián Castro, Santa Fe Mayor David Coss, and St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman. All of these mayors together represent some of the largest LGBT cities in the nation, according to the Respect for Marriage Coalition.

The Supreme Court heard oral arguments on DOMA in March and is expected to hand down a decision this month. The Supreme Court is also asked to make a ruling on the Prop 8 case in California this month also.

June is recognized nationally as Pride month to honor the Stonewall Inn riots.