Buckhead Councilman Shook Opposes Gay Marriage Resolution

During the same Monday meeting in which it controversially voted to give itself a more than 50 percent pay raise, the Atlanta City Council tackled another hot topic by approving a resolution to support marriage equality.

District 6 Councilman Alex Wan introduced the legislation and the resolution passed by an 11-2 vote with councilmembers Howard Shook and C.T. Martin voting against.

Since the state has in place a constitutional ban on marriage equality, the resolution is expected to have almost no legal impact in Georgia.

Shook, who represents parts of Buckhead, told Creative Loafing in an email:

While I understand there are many heartfelt opinions regarding this issue, my duty is to represent 7th District voters who, like it or not, overwhelmingly opposed amending Georgia's constitution so as to allow gay marriage.

According to the Creative Loafing report, the council has previously taken stands on Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender issues by voting in 2004 its opposition to the state’s constitutional ban on gay marriage, and two years later supporting the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.

The resolution counters Mayor Kasim Reed’s stance on marriage equality, which in May he reiterated that he does not support. After President Barack Obama Barack Obama said on ABC's Good Morning America that he personally supported gay marriage, Atlanta’s mayor released a statement indicating he was "wrestling" with his support of same-sex marriage.

Read the full story on Midtown Patch.

What do you think about the city council’s approval of the gay marriage resolution? Should Shook have approved the measure? Tell us below in the comments.