File photo of protest. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
ATLANTA (AP) — Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed is saying he now supports gay marriage and that same-sex couples have a “fundamental right” to wed.
Reed announced his view Tuesday as he signed a resolution passed by Atlanta’s City Council showing support for same-sex marriage.
Previously Reed had said that while he supported gay rights overall, he was still wrestling with his personal beliefs about marriage. He remained undecided even after President Barack Obama announced his support for gay marriage rights last May, a move that made the issue more politically palatable for fellow black Democrats such as Reed.
In his statement, Reed said that “loving couples, regardless of their sexual orientation, should have the right to marry whomever they want.”
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