The city of Atlanta recently passed a resolution in support of marriage equality for same-sex couples. The move is largely symbolic, as same-sex marriage still remains banned in Georgia.
And, on Nov. 11, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed threw his name behind those in support of gay marriage, as well.
Earlier this year, Reed was still struggling with what he wanted to do about the very controversial issue. At the time he was quoted in The Ga Voice as saying:
"While I am still wrestling with my own personal beliefs on the issue of marriage, I deeply appreciate the contributions gays and lesbians make to our city every single day and I remain committed to Atlanta’s vibrant and diverse LGBT community."
Reed's support comes after President Barack Obama and the NAACP came out in support of same-sex marriage.
Now, Reed's name, along with the names of two other Georgia mayors, is listed on the Mayors for Freedom to Marry campaign website.
The other Georgia mayors are East Point's Earnestine Pittman and Kathie deNobriga, who is the openly lesbian mayor of tiny Pine Lake, near Stone Mountain.
As of Nov. 11, 291 mayors from 32 states have signed a statement in support of this effort, according to the Freedom to Marry site.
Should your mayor also sign a statement of support? Should your city council pass a resolution in support of marriage equality? Let us know in the comment section.
The whole " call it something else" idea is just silly
Here's a news flash for you . Many people dont believe in your holy book and are not required to live by it's tenants. YOU can choose to do so if you wish but the government is strictly prohibited from forcing the rest of us to do so . So , thanks and have a nice day
Your Christian beliefs do not apply to other people . By all means folow them as you so choose but you have no right to foist them on others any more than the Muslim guy at can force your wife to wear a Burkha.
The city council of Atlanta just gave themselves a fat 50% raise. Then they committed $50,000,000.00 to a new some stadium that we don't need. The question here about a pointless resolution that the city passed to divert attention from real issues that the city should address. I'd there a conversation to be had on SSM? Sure there is. Just not in the council chambers on an entity that can't do anything about it. And especially when weighty matters that do affect the city's bottom get ignored in lue of it...
Sure , no doubt there is some pandering here , typical politics...Would you care for me to point out similar "pointless" examples from the other side? A non binding resolution in support of freedom isnt one I'm gonna take issue with nor does it require us to ignore other completely unrelated issues no matter how unimportant one might find it . Meanwhile our own "smaller government conservative" rep in the gold dome is working on legislation regarding automotive window tint.
But please...by all means, lets have some examples of what those evil Republicans in Atlanta's city government are doing... Hello....there is nothing that the city of Atlanta can do to affect this issue one way or the other, rendering it a pointless waste of time in city council chambers and serving to divert attention from whats really going on. like, the fact that these clowns who furlough public safety and other employees just voted themselves a fat raise. Why wouldn't they want to change the subject, divert attention to something he can't do anything about, other than jump on a bandwagon and hope that this is what they remember come reelection time, not the fiscal irrersposability. And because he's talking about one of your champion causes, I guess it's just ok. Your answer it to join the diversion by dredging out more crap unrelated to the fiscal issues of the city of Atlanta. Brilliant. I dont expect any sort of objectivity from you, but you've been duped. Not just you, but everyone one both sides here. You're talking about what he wants you to talk about while they waste money while nobody is looking at the real issues. Part of being duped is getting caught up into not realizing you've been duped.
Everyone has been duped! We're all completely fooled ! Fortunately we have the mighty Jeffro to point out the error of our ways!! Horsepuckey Really Jeff, get over yourself .No one has been duped here ,pretty sure that a 15 minute non binding resolution passed at the behest of a council member (not the mayor as you erroneously imply) is not some part of some tinfoil hatted conspiracy to cause the other actions of the government to become invisible I get that you think it pointless due to your extreme indifference on the matter. Might I suggest you read some other articles on the topic ? Many of those who actually have some skin in the game dont share your opinion. http://www.ajc.com/news/news/local/atlanta-mayor-announces-his-support-of-gay-marriag/nTSpZ/
My point is that this has obviously diverted attention from matters the city does have jurisdiction over. That fact is self evident, and you not realizing (well, refusing to admit it now that its neen pointed out, anyways) serves to prove rhe point. I have no problem with anyone weighing in a personal opinion, as Reed did with a local magazine. Thats fine,but the point where it males headlines as city business? No. I would feel the same way if it were something i supported that a local body gad no effect on. I'd be looking for what they didnt want me to see. In this case, it wasn't difficult to spot. PS...im not againt SAM... you knew that, yet as usual you.chose the broadstroke. Typical
I know your stance and made no attempt to paint it otherwise..As I recall you have stated that you werent against it but you wouldnt actively support it . I define that as "indifference" and thats the word I used...Please clarify if necessary! You may be unfamiliar with the way City Government works. I'd suggest attending a local council meeting . Generally there are a great many issues in play at the same time. Quite often ,City governments pass non binding resolutions ,award honors to civic groups and recognize outstanding citizens and the like . Happens all the time even at our local Council meetings . I myself have even been recognized at such a meeting ! I'm quite certain that moment was NOT intended to somehow divert attention from the other business of the council . It's actually a function of the government and not an effort to dupe citizens
and oh, look...its working. "Leta not talk about that pay raise pr that $50,000,000 we wasted on a some! I support gay marriage!" That's all im trying to say. Im not sure why you chose to attack me on this...Surely you can see the truth in what Im actually trying to say, even if you're more interested in trying to spin it into what you want to say. But whatever. I've made my point clear. Carry on...
You are also aware that there is a year left on the mayor's term? If indeed it was to generate a "soundbite" one would think he would have timed it better...
The amount was A. Blank and the Braves would put up $700,000,000 The govt. would put up $300,000,000 The govts's portion would be paid out of the Hotel/Motel tax
The amount was A. Blank and the Braves would put up $700,000,000 The govt. would put up $300,000,000 The govts's portion would be paid out of the Hotel/Motel tax
Im not attacking the issue of SSM...you are failing to see that...but calling out the slick political moves that used that issue as a red herring. I know how resolutions work...i also know that sometimes they are used as red herrings. As I believe the case is here. that's all. Have a nice day.
Just wow.... I think you'll find there there to be PLENTY of ink and discussion devoted to both the pay raise and the stadium proposal. Apparently you might avail yourself of some of that to attain a better understanding of the issue at hand. A little google or a glance at a paper and you would realize both issues have been covered extensively in virtually every media outlet available. As a matter of fact they have received WAY more attention discussion and print than the "non binding resolution" that you are so bothered by ..
so why dont you take your condescending lecture and stuff it? I think that talking about issues out of the control of a said government agency, in a formal sense, is a complete waste of time. Had the resolution been to condemn SSM, I would feel the same as I do now, whereas you would most likely agree with me.