San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer on
Thursday became a chair of Mayors for the Freedom to Marry, a group
dedicated to increasing access to marriage for gay and lesbian
couples.
“I am a strong supporter of marriage
equality,” said Faulconer, a Republican. “I came to my decision
after speaking with my fellow San Diegans about the importance of
ensuring that everyone in love has access to the respect, dignity and
protections offered by marriage. I value freedom, family, and
individual liberty, and I'm proud to join Mayors for the Freedom to
Marry to continue making the case for marriage nationwide.”
The organization also announced that it
has grown from 80 mayors in 2012 to 400 mayors representing 38 states
and the District of Columbia.
“The values of freedom and family
invoked by Mayor Faulconer in support of the freedom to marry are the
values more and more Republicans are embracing as they move toward
support as well,” Evan Wolfson, President of Freedom to Marry, said
in an emailed statement. “Mayors have a crucial role in advancing
the well-being of the families, businesses, and communities that they
serve, including gay and lesbian Americans who want to take care of
their family and make a lifelong commitment to the person they love.”
Faulconer joins fellow chairs Kasim
Reed of Atlanta, Julian Castro of San Antonio, Michael Nutter of
Philadelphia, Annise Parker of Houston, Greg Stanton of Phoenix and
Eric Garcetti of Los Angeles.