Antonio Villaraigosa on Civil Rights

Co-chaired "Mayors for the Freedom to Marry" effort

San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro has signed onto the "Mayors for the Freedom to Marry" effort. Houston's Annise Parker had previously joined the effort, serving as co-chair. So that's 3 Texas Mayors down, 1,212 to go.

Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings is still refusing to sign onto the pledge, despite a petition with 253 signatures and promises of protests at his upcoming public events.

The group has also added two new co-chairs, San Diego's Jerry Sanders and Boston's Thomas Menino; with New York's Michael Bloomberg, L.A.'s Antonio Villaraigosa and Houston's own Annise Parker. The five-co-chairs issued the following statement: Source: Dallas Voice, "Mayors for the Freedom to Marry" , Jan 20, 2012

All Americans should be allowed to marry

The recent California Supreme Court ruling is the latest step in guaranteeing that all gay and lesbian Americans have the fundamental right to marry the person they love.

I am confident that the 9th Circuit Court will affirm marriage equality and right the damage Prop. 8 has done to our fellow Californians and their families. I look forward to the day when all Americans enjoy the freedom to marry.

Source: 2011 L.A. Mayoral press release #019021 , Nov 17, 2011

Supports gay marriage as fundamental right

Today's California Supreme Court ruling is the latest step in guaranteeing that gay and lesbian Americans have the right to marry the person they love. The Court's ruling that proponents of Proposition 8 may defend the initiative before the Court of Appeals gives the federal court the opportunity to right this injustice. I am confident that the 9th Circuit Court will affirm marriage equality. I look forward to the day when all Americans enjoy the freedom to marry. Source: City of Los Angeles Mayoral press release #019021 , Nov 17, 2011

Repeal of "Don't ask, don't tell," is a success

Today is a critical milestone for both equal rights and our national security. Effective today, no perfectly eligible candidate to serve our country will be turned away due to arbitrary, prejudicial causes allowing our military to be able to actively recruit and retain our best and brightest officers.

It is about time that all the heroic men and women in uniform have the same exact rights that they so selflessly fight to preserve everyday at home and abroad.

Source: 2011 L.A. Mayoral press release #015551 , Sep 20, 2011

Acknowledge and celebrate LGBT Awareness Month

Los Angeles has long been a staging ground for many significant firsts in the history of the LGBT equality movement, and I am proud that today we finally acknowledge and celebrate this history and the important contributions of the LGBT community, The LGBT struggle for equality is an ongoing one and I know the City of Los Angeles will continue to stand at the forefront and pave the way for future generations. Source: 2011 L.A. Mayoral press release #014684 , Jun 3, 2011

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*Other big-city mayors on Civil Rights:*	*Antonio Villaraigosa on other issues:*
Mike Bloomberg (I,New York City) Cory Booker (D,Newark,NJ) Julian Castro (D,San Antonio,TX) Rahm Emanuel (D,Chicago) Phil Gordon (D,Phoenix) Tom Menino (D,Boston) Michael Nutter (D,Philadelphia) Annise Parker (D,Houston) Mike Rawlings (D,Dallas) Jerry Sanders (R,San Diego) Antonio Villaraigosa (D,Los Angeles) *Former Mayors:* Rocky Anderson (I,Salt Lake City) Tom Barrett (D,Milwaukee,WI) Jerry Brown (D,Oakland,CA) Rudy Giuliani (R,New York City) Dennis Kucinch (D,Cleveland,OH) Sarah Palin (R,Wasilla,AK)	Abortion Budget/Economy Civil Rights Corporations Crime Drugs Education Energy/Oil Environment Families/Children Foreign Policy Free Trade Govt. Reform Gun Control Health Care Homeland Security Immigration Infrastructure/Technology Jobs Principles/Values Social Security Tax Reform War/Iraq/Mideast Welfare/Poverty

Page last updated: Apr 28, 2013