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Mayor Coleman Performs Same-Sex Marriage Ceremonies

Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman performed several same-sex weddings in a ceremony Saturday outside city hall to celebrate this month's landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling. Coleman united 13 same-sex couples invited to submit their relationship stories online to be picked for the occasion. The event marked the first same-sex marriage ceremony officiated by Coleman since the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on June 26 to legalize the unions.  Stonewall Columbus Executive Director Karla Rothan says Coleman has always been an advocate for gay rights and has often been involved in the city's gay pride festival. Coleman has said he believes marriage is between a man and a woman, but he has acted in an official capacity in a manner supporting gay rights, including expanding domestic-partner benefits for municipal employees.  Coleman took the couples through the traditional vows and had them exchange rings in the nine-minute ceremony.

Jim has been with WCBE since 1996. Before that he worked as a reporter at another Columbus radio station, and for three newspapers in Southwest Florida.
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