Catania says enough sponsors to pass “Civil Marriage Act” allowing gay marriage in Washington, DC
”For me, I have to be honest, it’s a particularly satisfying point in time to have a community and the council that is so committed to marriage equality. The debate is almost over here. The acceptance, while not universal, is substantial.”
David Catania, Washington, DC Councilmember At Large, speaking with the Washington Post about the 10 DC City Council sponsors of the “Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Equality Amendment Act of 2009.” Mayor Adrian Fenty has also stated his support for gay and lesbian marriage equality. The upcoming bill is designed to remove gender-specific qualifications for marriages performed in the District of Columbia.
Three Councilmembers have not signed on: Yvette Alexander who earlier said her Christianity was called into question by pastors who were angry at her for voting for an earlier gay marriage bill; Harry Thomas, Jr, whose Ward 5 Democrats voted to reject the idea of that same bill; and Marion Barry who has closely aligned himself with socially conservative pastors who have claimed that DC’s African-American majority is united against marriage for gay couples in the District. Barry, who was once considered friendly to the gay community, called the Council immoral, and chanted “Say no to same sex marriage in DC!”
Those pastors, the Evangelical Family Research Council, the political organization N.O.M., and the Washington Catholic Archdiocese have teamed up in an effort to force the Council and the Board of Elections to put same-sex marriage on the ballot for a public vote. They are asking people from other states to tell their state’s Congressmen to block the District’s ability to implement gay marriage which, unfortunately, the Constitution allows them to do. (Washington Post)
Support Metro Weekly’s Journalism
These are challenging times for news organizations. And yet it’s crucial we stay active and provide vital resources and information to both our local readers and the world. So won’t you please take a moment and consider supporting Metro Weekly with a membership? For as little as $5 a month, you can help ensure Metro Weekly magazine and MetroWeekly.com remain free, viable resources as we provide the best, most diverse, culturally-resonant LGBTQ coverage in both the D.C. region and around the world. Memberships come with exclusive perks and discounts, your own personal digital delivery of each week’s magazine (and an archive), access to our Member's Lounge when it launches this fall, and exclusive members-only items like Metro Weekly Membership Mugs and Tote Bags! Check out all our membership levels here and please join us today!
