Emanuel in D.C. to support same-sex marriage

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel will join mayors from across the U.S. in supporting the rights of same-sex couples to marry.

Emanuel will attend the Mayors for Freedom to Marry group in Washington, D.C. on Friday. The group is being launched as part of the U.S. Conference of Mayors meeting, where Emanuel is set to speak.

Emanuel said Thursday he is going the support the group’s aims because he thinks it is the right thing to day and his consistent with the nation’s values.

According to organizers of Mayors for Freedom to Marry, more than 75 mayors have pledged to support same-sex marriage.

Emanuel supported the Illinois legislature’s legalization of civil unions for same-sex couples last year. He officiated at the civil union of one of his staffers.