Columbus Dispatch: Coleman signs on to Freedom to Marry

The story is here

Coleman signs on to Freedom to Marry

By: Doug Caruso

The Columbus Dispatch - February 16, 2012 14:02 PM

Mayor Michael B. Coleman hopes to be able to preside over a legally binding gay wedding someday soon.

Coleman has endorsed two groups seeking freedom to marry for same-sex couples several weeks after saying he was reviewing his position on the issue. Yesterday afternoon, he signed on with a national group, Mayors for Freedom to Marry, and a statewide one, Ohio Leaders for Freedom to Marry.

"One of the things that pushed the mayor over the top on this issue was a meeting he had with a city employee, a veteran who came back," Williamson said. "He told the mayor he's now openly gay, but he had to hide things from his fellow soldiers," while the don't-ask-don't-tell policy was in effect. "He said he was overseas fighting for everybody's rights but his own."

Last month, Coleman's name briefely appeared on Mayors for Freedom to Marry's list. But at the time, Coleman said his position had not changed from the one he took in 2004 when he ran for governor: That he supported civil unions with rights similar to marriage for gay couples. The group took his name off the list. Since then, local gay rights activists have been calling for the mayor to change his position.

Williamson said Coleman didn't sign on to the mayor's group during the National Conference of Mayors because he didn't know the people who were asking him to join. He wanted to talk to local people before making his decision, Williamson said.