Shame, Shame! San Jose Mayor Comes Out In Opposition To Gay Marriage

San Jose has a sizeable gay population and many in the community had been waiting to hear where Mayor Chuck Reed stood on Proposition 8, the November ballot measure that would ban gay marriage in California by defining marriage as only between a man and a woman.

In an interview with CBS 5 on Friday, the mayor broke his silence.

"I don't support changing the definition of marriage," Reed said, "but whether this is the appropriate ballot measure, we'll have to wait until it goes on."

Reed emphasized that even though he believes marriage should be between a man and a woman, he supports domestic partnerships for gay couples.

"I support the extension of benefits, and I supported the exension of protections from discrimination for same-sex couples and I'll continue to do that — but I don't support changing the definition of of marriage."

Reed's opposition to same-sex marriage came as a disappointment to San Jose lesbian & gay leaders.

"We're deeply disappointed by the mayor's decision," said Aejaie Sellers of the Billy Frank LGBT Center. "We know that the state Supreme Court came out and said that marriage is an open institution, according to the constitution. It's unfortunate that the mayor feels that he knows better."

Reed's opposition to gay marriage puts him at odds with his Bay Area counterparts. Both San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom and Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums in Oakland have performed same-sex weddings since the state Supreme Court allowed gay marriages to proceed.

"I'm often out of sync with other political leaders in the Bay Area," Reed said. "I have to do what I think is right, what is right for my community. That's what I do."

Despite Reed's stand, gay and lesbian leaders next week plan to ask the city of San Jose's Human Rights Commission to go on record opposing Proposition 8.
SJ Mayor Comes Out In Opposition To Gay Marriage
CBS 5, CA