Following a federal appeals court ruling today that California's same-sex marriage ban is unconstitutional, Mayor Kevin Johnson said he would look at a petition signed by dozens of statewide politicians that promotes marriage equality.
While the mayor said he "certainly respects" the court's decision today, he repeated his personal belief that "marriage is between a man and a woman." But, he added, "I strongly oppose discrimination when it comes to our constitution."
Johnson has been urged by the Stonewall Democrats club to join the Mayors for the Freedom to Marry, "a bipartisan coalition of over 100 United States mayors dedicated to promoting marriage equality in their communities, state, and our nation."
Johnson told reporters this morning he would now look at the group's petition and consider signing it.
"It wasn't something I decided not to do," he said.
Stonewall spokesman Neil Pople told me "we're always encouraged to hear the mayor is interested in one of our causes" and that his organization would continue to urge Johnson to join the mayors' group.
"It is a big decision for some people and if he decides to do it, we'll be the first to celebrate with him," Pople said.
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