Bob King begs Congress: Ignore our home rule, help keep marriage from DC’s gays [video]
”I’m doing this because the city council and the mayor have given me no choice…. Marion Barry and Yvette Alexander. We have a number of longstanding civic associations, clergy and individuals, who are demanding the right to vote as 31 other states have done.”
Bob King, a Ward 5 ANC Commissioner, expressing the twisted logic of why he has faxed a letter to members of the US Congress to stop gay marriage from being fully legalized in the District of Columbia. King has been one of the loudest voices against equal marriage rights for gay women and men over the last year. He is asking members of the House and Senate to block the same-sex marriage bill and to have them force a public vote on the matter. It is not clear how the District’s individual residents feel on the matter, but civil marriage equality has been banned or repealed in every state so far where it has come up for a popular vote. Residents of Maine and California both defeated existing marriage laws by slim margins, and King is hoping the same will happen here. In his on-camera interview below, please do notice KIng’s flashy usage of a big, shiny cross to explain his religiously biased intentions. (Fox 5)
”Commissioner King’s lobbying of Congress to stop the same-sex marriage bill from becoming law seriously undermines the District’s efforts for greater autonomy and expanded home rule. By taking this fight to Congress not only is he re-enforcing our ‘second-class citizen’ status, he is actively embracing it. His efforts will only embolden members of Congress to expand their meddling in our municipal affairs. Frankly, I expected better from an elected District official.”
Mike Panetta, DC Shadow Representative on Bob King‘s efforts to have members of Congress not allow the soon-to-be-approved law that extends marriage rights to gay male and lesbian couples. Once the law passes a 2nd City Council vote, and Mayor Adrian Fenty signs it, the legislation must pass through the US Congress for 30 days. Harry Thomas, Jr, the Councilman who represents Ward 5 voted for marriage on December 1 along with 10 other Councilmembers, and only 2 opposed the bill — Yvette Alexander and Marion Barry — both expressing religiously based reasons. (DCist)
”The Congress shall have Power … To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by Cession of particular States, and the Acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of the Government of the United States, and to exercise like Authority over all Places purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards, and other needful Buildings;–And To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.”
Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution of the United States which essentially gives the US Congress the ability to circumvent the will of the District of Colubmia‘s residents &/or its elected officials. Congress has too often taken advantage of this paragraph of the Constitution to block laws crafted by the District’s citizens, and ANC Commissioner Bob King of Ward 5 is begging Congress to do so again to prevent the District from allowing gay men and women to be legally married here at home. Several other religious “leaders” testified before the DC Council at the end of October and beginning of November that they would ask Congress for this outrageous blockade. They are demanding a full public vote on this civil rights matter. Among these people is Harry Jackson, a preacher from a Maryland church, who claims he now resides in the District but says he has never once voted in any election in the District because he is a ”new resident.” Virtually all of the citizens, preachers and local political figures who testified against the bill cite religious “logic” and “tradition” as their proof. (Archives.org)
Support Metro Weeklyās Journalism
These are challenging times for news organizations. And yet itās crucial we stay active and provide vital resources and information to both our local readers and the world. So wonāt 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 weekās 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!
