EDGE Providence

Former Democratic National Party Chairs Howard Dean, Donald Fowler, Steve Grossman and David Wilhelm on Wednesday endorsed a proposal that would add marriage equality for same-sex couples to their party’s 2012 platform.

LGBT activists are disappointed, but not necessarily surprised that Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman has not signed onto Freedom to Marry’s new campaign that features more than 100 mayors from across the country who support nuptials for same-sex couples.

Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings’ refusal to sign onto a new Freedom to Marry campaign that includes more than 100 mayors from across the country who pledge to advance the cause of marriage for same-sex couples has sparked outrage among local activists.

Freedom to Marry on Friday formally launched a campaign that includes 80 mayors who have pledged to push for nuptials for same-sex couples. Several of these mayors spoke at a press conference at the U.S. Conference of Mayors in Washington, D.C.

With nuptials for same-sex couples a reality in the Empire State, Marriage Equality New York and other LGBT groups hope to help secure the same right in other states and to repeal the federal Defense of Marriage Act.