NYC Mayor Bloomberg speaks out against NC marriage amendment

May 14, 2012

Yesterday, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg delievered the commencement address to the graduating class of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In a brief section of his speech, Mayor Bloomberg discussed the importance of freedom in the United States, including why the freedom to marry matters. Specifcally, he spoke out against last week's passage of the anti-gay constitutional amendment that bans the freedom to marry in North Carolina. Mayor Bloomberg said:

Throughout our history, each and every generation has expanded upon the freedoms won by their parents and grandparents. Each and every generation has removed some barrier to full participation in the American dream. That work is not over. Far from it. And - I would argue - last week's referendum banning same-sex marriage shows just how much more work needs to be done to ensure freedom and equality for all people.

When the torch passes from one generation to the next, the light of liberty always shines more brightly. And I have no doubt that in your lifetime, liberty's light will allow us to see more clearly the truth of our nation's founding principles and allow us to see all people, and all couples, as full and equal members of the American family.  

Mayor Bloomberg's entire address, which inclusively mentions same-sex couples and gay and lesbian individuals throughout, appears here. His comments about the freedom to marry begin at 7:50.

Mayor Bloomberg has long been a supporter of gay and lesbian Americans. Last year, he advocated hard for the freedom to marry in New York State and even personally officiated the wedding of two of his staffers. He serves as a chair for our "Mayors for the Freedom to Marry" coalition, a nonpartisan group of mayors who believe that all people should be able to share in the love and commitment of marriage. With Mayor Bloomberg's support, 211 mayors from across the country have signed on to support marriage for same-sex couples.