Mayor's Refusal to Sign Marriage Equality Pledge Causes Uproar

Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings may not have anticipated a firestorm when he set out to attend the annual meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors in Washington, D.C., but that's exactly what he found back home when he refused to sign a pledge supporting marriage for same-sex couples.

To date, more than 100 mayors have signed the pledge, including those from Houston, San Antonio, Galveston, Shavano Park, Castle Hills and Austin. Dallas is also the largest city in the country with a mayor who has not joined the campaign.

The mayor's chief of staff, Paula Blackmon sent a statement saying that Rawlings has made a conscious decision to focus on issues that create a healthy, viable city and not on those that are partisan and social in nature since he took office.

"I was asked to pledge my support to 'Mayors for the Freedom to Marry' in an effort to pressure state and federal entities to legalize marriage for same-sex couples," the statement read. "I decided not to sign onto that letter because that is inconsistent with my view of the duties of the office of the mayor. To be a world class city, we must be inclusive towards all citizens, including the LGBT community. Personally, I support the LGBT movement and its efforts for equal rights that they deserve."

While The Dallas Morning News published an editorial in support of the mayor's decision, many in the LGBT community see it as a slap in the face.

"Its unfortunate that he can make one statement when he meets with LGBT leaders running for office and when it comes time to actually put some backing behind what he says then he refuses to sign," said Dennis Coleman, executive director of Equality Texas. "I think people in the community are not going to stand by and allow politicians to say one thing and then do another. I don't think the community is going to sit on the sidelines and not call out public figures when they say one thing and do another, especially when they reach out to the LGBT community."

GetEQUAL TX had planned a protest this week outside of a "Meet the Mayor" community event. Rawlings was a no-show. He has also initially declined meetings with GetEQUAL TX, but later said he would meet with LGBT groups.

Representing the group in Dallas, Daniel Cates told EDGE that the mayor's staff said Rawlings would meet with GetEQUAL TX members if they cancelled the protest.

"We are willing to meet but will not operate under preconditions," said Cates. "When it became apparent GetEQUAL TX would not be satisfied with anything less than signing the pledge, Paula Blackman said she would pursue talks with other LGBT leaders. I've been on the phone with pretty much all of them and no one is willing to make that compromise."

Activists Point to Marriage Equality's Economic Impact
While Rawlings has framed the decision as a social justice issue that has nothing to do with his duties as mayor, LGBT leaders point out it's also an economic issue.

CeCe Cox, director of the Resource Center Dallas, said that in the last two years, two major LGBT conferences (Creating Change and the Out and Equal Workplace Summit) have taken place in Dallas, pumping millions of dollars into the local economy.

"I suspect that no LGBT group will want to come to Dallas when they learn of the mayor's position," said Cox.

"In my opinion it's not to the making of a world-class city as he always calls Dallas," added Omar Narvaez, president of Stonewall Democrats of Dallas. "World class cities are very accepting, inclusive and diverse. The eight cities larger than Dallas in the nation have all signed on, regardless of their mayor's party affiliation. It's kind of embarrassing, especially since Dallas has the largest number of LGBT couples in the state of Texas. It's not just about lip service. Our community is organized. We listen and we react."

Does It Matter?
The city is not in charge of issuing marriage licenses, so what difference does it make?

The Dallas Morning News stated that good streets, economic development and code enforcement are "the kinds of basics that Dallas must master."

"Marriage laws, as important as they are, don't belong in that list," opined the newspaper. "States set marriage statutes, and, to a lesser extent, Washington has a voice in them. Cities do not."

Some in the LGBT community seem to agree.

"I think Rawlings fears upsetting the political base that got him into office," said Robert Schlein, president of the Metroplex Republicans. "He has said that he personally supports same-sex marriage but won't use the Mayor's office to engage in divisive issues. I can respect that position."

For others, however, the divisiveness began with the refusal to sign the pledge.

"It matters because the mayor of the largest cities have this bully pulpit," said Narvaez. "Legislators are going to listen. It's also a matter of principle and helps us move forward when discussions do happen. I remember the mayor telling me to my face he would prove to me he would be an Allie to the LGBT community. It's not just riding in the gay pride parade; actions speak louder than words. I hope he's wearing tall boots because he's knee deep right now."

Almost 1.500 have signed a petition on Change.org asking the mayor to sign the pledge. A protest is scheduled to take place outside City Hall tonight.