LGBTQ commission tells Seattle mayor to resign

Seattle Mayor Ed Murray continues to lose support over allegations of child sex abuse in the 1980s.

RELATED: The line between stepping down and staying in office for Ed Murray

KIRO Radio’s Hanna Scott reports the Seattle LGBTQ Commission has asked him to step down.

In a letter to the mayor, the LGBTQ commission acknowledges that Murray has denied the allegations but says his attempt to dismiss the claims as politically motivated homophobia is a move that could damage the LGBTQ community.

The commission also criticizes him for responding to the accusations by pointing out his accuser’s criminal pasts, saying they believe all survivors of sexual assault must be believed, no matter their identity or social standing. In asking the mayor to resign, the commission notes that most of them were appointed by him.

Support from four mayors

Meanwhile, four former mayors have come out in support of Ed Murray, telling him not to resign.

A statement from Wes Uhlman, Charles Royer, Norman Rice, and Greg Nickels reads:

We have been saddened by the recent allegations against Mayor Murray. He made the honorable, but personally painful decision to drop out of his re-election campaign, a decision that underscores his commitment to Seattle.

We firmly believe Mayor Murray should continue to lead the city through the remainder of his term. A transition merely months before electing a new mayor would be messy and time-consuming, and would present serious challenges to the day-to-day operations of the city. As former mayors, we know transitions are long, difficult, and important processes, which is why Mayor Murray and his team have already begun the job of preparing for the new mayor to be sown in next year.

We should now thank the mayor for his service to our city and look forward to him coming to work every day on behalf of the people of Seattle throughout the remainder of his term and an orderly transition.