Atlanta mayor announces support for gay marriage

ATLANTA — Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed announced his support for gay marriage Tuesday, a shift in his previous position.

"Today marks an important day as I announce my support for marriage equality," Reed said in a city news release.

He signed an Atlanta City Council resolution that supports the city's lesbian, gay, transgender and bisexual community by endorsing marriage equality for same-sex couples. He previously supported civil unions for same-sex partners, but not marriages.

"It is well known that I have gone through a good bit of reflection on this issue, but listening to the stories of so many people that I know and care about has strengthened my belief that marriage is a fundamental right for everyone. Loving couples, regardless of their sexual orientation, should have the right to marry whomever they want," Reed said.

He cited equal protection under the 14th Amendment to back up his stance.

"I do things from my heart, and I take positions when I honestly believe them, and I'm sincere. So, although a lot of folks when I was running for mayor said I should have supported marriage equality then, that's not where I was sincerely," Reed told Channel 2's Amy Napier Viteri in a Tuesday interview.

WSBTV