News

By Kathleen Gilbert

WASHINGTON, D.C., June 17, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The U.S. Conference of Mayors passed a resolution Monday supporting the redefinition of marriage to include homosexual couples.

The resolution states that the conference endorses legislation to promote homosexual affirmative action, open homosexuality in the military, further benefits for homosexual partners, and anti-hate crime initiatives.

Further, the document states: “The U.S. Conference of Mayors supports marriage equality for same-sex couples, and the recognition and extension of full equal rights to such unions, including family and medical leave, tax equity, and insurance and retirement benefits, and opposes the enshrinement of discrimination in the federal or state constitutions.”

The mayors note that the Conference called for “the legal protection of gay and lesbian rights at all levels of government” in 1984.

The resolution also praises current mayors who “have been at the forefront of the battle for marriage equality,” citing the “historic leadership” of San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom, as well as that of San Diego mayor Jerry Sanders and Washington D.C. mayor Adrian Fenty of Washington D.C.