At last night’s protest and rally to reject Prop. 8, Los Angeles Mayor and rising Democratic political star Antonio Villaraigosa took to the Olvera Street gazebo and led a ceremony where gay couples married last year renewed their vows. One lesbian couple, children in tow, prompted Villaraigosa to remark, ““Look at these beautiful babies. They’re healthy. They’re loved. They have parents.” Over 18,000 couples were married last year. The Supreme Court will decide whether those marriages will be valid. Watch after the jump.
Mayor Villaraigosa Marries Gay Couples
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David Hauslaib
Good stand for Villaraigosa.
Worth nothing: On Tuesday, he just won re-election (by a wide margin) to another four-year term, and while much of Los Angeles voted against Prop 8, the issue remains politically sensitive. But it’s not just because Villaraigosa already has the election locked up that he’s on board with gay marriage — that’s long been his position.
He’s previously presided over same-sex marriages:
http://articles.latimes.com/2008/jun/24/local/me-marriage24
atdleft
Wow. That was nice of Mayor Antonio. I just hope more of us will soon be able to do that.
getreal
As an American I am so proud of the Mayor as a girly girl I am so mad at the photographers for blocking the marriage money shot. I can’t see the gowns!!!!
Tim in SF
Look a little deeper.
Villaraigosa is a politician first, before anything else. So ask yourself, why do you think he would make this move now?
Does it maybe have anything to do with the open governor’s seat in Sacramento next year? Villaraigosa is known to be interested in the seat. Any blog post mentioning Villaraigosa should also mention this very important fact, because as a politician, his actions should be compared to his political ambitions. Japhy, I’m talking to you.
Also, ask yourself how much his stance today is in response to the news that Gavin Newsom, mayor of another major California city (just like Villaraigosa), who is extreeeeeemly popular in part because of his stance on same sex marriage, has thrown his hat into the ring.
Sebbe
Good for Villaraigosa. I’m not sure how well the justices of the supreme court look on Mayor’s grandstanding and clearly defying the law. But, I personally am glad he did and could care less if there are other political motivations, of course there are. He didn’t become Mayor because he is a nice guy, but because he is a smart politician and wants to be on the right side of things.