In 35 states including West Virginia, same-sex couples are still denied the freedom to marry. This denies gay and lesbian couples who vote, pay taxes and serve in the military crucial protections for their families. They work hard and pay into the same system as everyone and should have the same freedom to marry that other couples have.

A growing number of Americans agree. Support for the freedom to marry has reached record highs, with 58 percent of voters in favor, according to an ABC News poll released in March. That same poll found that 81% of voters under 30, 71% of moderate voters and 52% of Republican and independent leaning voters under 50 support the freedom to marry for same-sex couples.

An important part of this growing support is the support from mayors in cities and towns across the country.

Mayors and the cities they represent have long played critical roles in advancing civil rights and treatment for all Americans. This is no less true of the freedom to marry. In each of the states where we have won marriage, support from local elected officials has helped to tip the scales in our favor.

By asking your mayor to join Mayors for the Freedom to Marry, you are helping make the case for why marriage matters to gay and lesbian couples in every state in America.