And LGBTQ mayors are leading the resistance, saying they’ll forge ahead and keep their commitments to protecting the environment.
Salt Lake City Mayor Jackie Biskupski, the only openly lesbian mayor of a major U.S. city, told the New York Times on Thursday: “We feel very strongly that we have an obligation to make sure we keep moving in the right direction on this issue. We really have to make choices that reflect our long-term goals, that really address long-term issues of today.”
Openly gay Long Beach, California, Mayor Robert Garcia called backing out of the climate deal “a huge step backwards” for the U.S.: “As a coastal city, we must fight for our future and the next generation.”
And Santa Fe, New Mexico, Mayor Javier Gonzales, who is also openly gay, said on Facebook that “President Trump quit on the environment. Santa Fe won’t.”
All three mayors signed onto a”Climate Mayors” statement promising to “intensity efforts” to combat climate change on the local level.
As Mayor Pete Buttigieg tweeted following the announcement: “Mayors understand the stakes.”
