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San Diego Joined Fight to Overturn Gay Marriage Ban

The fight to overturn California's gay-marriage ban included the city of San Diego. The mayor signed off on a friend-of-the court brief last year, after tearfully announcing a change of heart on the m

The fight to overturn California's gay-marriage ban included the city of San Diego. The mayor signed off on a friend-of-the court brief last year, after tearfully announcing a change of heart on the matter. KPBS reporter Andrew Phelps has the story.

Back in September, San Diego joined other California cities in asking the high court to overturn the gay-marriage ban. The city council approved the motion 5-to-3, and the city attorney gave his legal blessing. But Republican Mayor Jerry Sanders immediately said he'd veto the measure. Then, 24 hours later, Sanders announced he'd changed his mind.

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Sanders: I've decided to lead with my heart, which is probably obvious at the moment, to do what I think is right, and to take a stand on behalf of equality and social justice. The right thing for me to do is sign this resolution.

Sanders revealed his daughter is gay. He said he could not look his gay friends and family members in the face and tell them their relationships were less any meaningful than his.

Andrew Phelps, KPBS News.