Mayor Sanders on his way to D.C. to rally support for same-sex m - San Diego, California News Station - KFMB Channel 8 - cbs8.com

Mayor Sanders on his way to D.C. to rally support for same-sex marriage

SAN DIEGO (CNS) - Mayor Jerry Sanders will be a co-chair of "Mayors for the Freedom to Marry," a group of 70 mayors who support gay and lesbian marriage rights, an aide has reported.

The group will have its first event Friday in Washington in connection with the 80th Winter Meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors.

Sanders, whose daughter is married to a woman, has been an outspoken proponent of same-sex marriage rights.

By forming the group, the mayors hope to expand public and political support for legalizing same-sex marriage. The group will be part of the Freedom to Marry organization.

Sanders is scheduled to leave for Washington on Thursday. He will also lobby the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for more funds for San Diego.