Taking A Stand

Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton joins other U.S. mayors in support of marriage quality

Stanton joins other U.S. mayors in support of marriage equality

Phoenix mayor Greg Stanton is among about 80 U.S. mayors who have launched a "Freedom to Marry" campaign in support of marriage equality.

"As promised during the campaign, I support equality and I'm proud to be among so many other mayors across the country who do as well," Stanton said in a statement. "The LGBT community is critically important to the success of our city, and this is one further step to show, in Phoenix, we embrace diversity."

The mayors launched their campaign Jan. 20 at a press conference during the U.S. Conference of Mayors' winter meeting in in Washington, D.C.

"We stand for the freedom to marry because it enhances the economic competitiveness of our communities, improves the lives of families that call our cities home, and is simply the right thing to do," the mayors said in their statement.

"It is not about what you want to believe or what you think is right or wrong," New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said. "It is also not about what organized religion should or should not do. This is a civil rights issue."

Other big-city mayors signing on to the campaign include those leading the cities of Los Angeles, San Deigo, Chicago and Houston.

Six states and the District of Columbia permit gay marriages.