NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Nashville mayor Karl Dean has joined the national group “Mayors for the Freedom to Marry,” becoming the first mayor from Tennessee to publicly support marriage equality.
Dean signed on to the coalition of nearly 500 mayors from around the U.S. advocating for full marriage equality nationwide.
“I believe that all people should be treated fairly and equally and that their individual dignity should be respected,” said Dean, in a statement.
“Embracing and celebrating our growing diversity makes our city stronger. Nashville needs to continue in that direction, and it’s my hope that joining this effort will help us do that.”
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Dean, a Democrat, had been a leading proponent of an ordinance to grant same-sex domestic partnership benefits to city and county employees. The Nashville council passed the ordinance in June.