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Reed Calls For Legislation To Recognize Same-Sex Marriages From Other States

February 24th, 2014

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed says he wants Georgia to recognize same-sex marriages from other states, his words coming as part of a regional effort to promote marriage equality across the South.As heard on the radio

Speaking at the Phillip Rush Center, Reed Monday helped kick off a $1 million campaign for marriage equality in 14 southern states, including Georgia. Headed by the national organization Freedom to Marry, the campaign is partnering with 13 regional groups as the November midterm elections loom.

As one of the campaign’s 13 honorary co-chairs, Reed said he’ll work with state lawmakers in hopes Georgia will recognize same-sex marriages that are legal in other states.

“I’m going to use my office to engage members of the General Assembly to recognize marriages from other states and to begin the long walk toward removing the constitutional impediments,” Reed said.

Reed initially announced his support for same-sex marriage in late 2012, a few months after President Barrack Obama. Reed has said he’s “evolved” from a prior stance of supporting civil unions.

Reed said in the lead-up to Monday’s event he’d been in talks with members of the state General Assembly whom he believes could potentially introduce a bill. He said recognizing those marriages performed out of state will the first step toward overturning Georgia’s constitutional ban on same-sex marriage.

“I also understand that some patience will be required, but patience should not mean forever,” Reed said. “We need to be about the business of removing discrimination from Georgia’s constitution.”

Reed wouldn’t name any lawmakers or give a timeline for a possible bill’s introduction.

A spokesperson for the Senate Democrats said Reed hasn’t approached any party leadership in the chamber.

Through a video, U.S. Democratic Congressman John Lewis threw his support behind the southern campaign. He said same-sex marriage is a civil right.

“Civil rights and equal rights must be for all of God’s children,” Lewis said. “No government – state or federal – has the right to discriminate against someone for the color of their skin or sexual orientation.”

Georgia’s constitutional ban on same-sex marriage has been in place since 2005.