Dozens of mayors from across the country gathered together in Washington, D.C. to promote their marriage equality agenda on the national stage. Our Washington Bureau reporter Erin Billups has the latest.
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WASHINGTON, D.C. -- With a united front, Democratic and Republican mayors from across the country are trying to build momentum in the fight for same-sex marriage.
"Eighty mayors from 25 states around the nation. It's just a matter of time," said Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.
With just five states and the District of Columbia legally recognizing gay marriage, Mayors for the Freedom to Marry will push for the legalization of gay marriage in the remaining 44 states. And those who have already helped pass gay marriage in their states will work on lobbying Washington lawmakers to repeal DOMA, the Defense of Marriage Act.
"We've got to reach out to our congress people, you got to work on your governors, your state legislatures. The United States Conference of Mayors is a powerful force," said U.S. Conference of Mayors CEO and Executive Director Tom Cochran.
Lending her personal story to the fight is Houston's first openly gay mayor, Annise Parker. She spoke of her family’s struggles.
"One simple change would have made a tremendous difference in the lives of my family and truly the lives of millions of Americans," Parker said.
The mayors say they want nothing less than full rights for gay couples, including family and medical leave, tax equity and retirement benefits, just to name a few.
"Let me tell you what gay marriage is not about. It is not about what you want to believe or what you think is right or wrong. It's also not about what organized religion should or should not do," said New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg.
And just as Bloomberg did during New York State's battle last year to legalize same-sex marriage, he again pledged to financially support those who vote in favor of gay rights.
Bloomberg said, "I've always thought that I should support people who do what I think is right. I certainly plan to continue to support, regardless of party and regardless of where in this country, those people that I think advance this country and give freedom to everyone."