Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer officially signed up to fight for marriage equality on Friday.The mayor joined a group called "Mayors for the Freedom to Marry" while attending a U.S. Conference of Mayors event in Dallas.It is a non-partisan organization with at least 400 mayors from across the country who have pledged support for gay and lesbian couples.The mayor of Bardstown, Bill Sheckles, is also a member.During his first six months in office, Fischer signed an executive order extending domestic partner benefits to Metro employees, a policy that went into effect two years ago. That move extended medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage for qualified adults, defined as someone over 18 years of age and not eligible for Medicare.Gay rights leaders have been pushing for Kentucky cities to pass Fairness laws to protect LGBT residents against discrimination. Earlier this month, Danville, Ky. became the seventh city to pass such a law. Louisville also has one.Kentucky recently made national headlines after U.S. District Judge John Heyburn struck down the state's ban recognizing same-sex couples who were married out-of-state.Initially, Attorney General Jack Conway said he would not contest the ruling, but Governor Steve Beshear, a Democrat, has since hired private council to appeal the ruling.That hearing is scheduled for August 6.
