Ward 8 Dems vote in favor of gay marriage; Ward 5 does not
”For our society to continue to discriminate against people because of how they were born is unfair, unjust and profoundly inhumane. I did not reach adulthood and one day decide that I would become gay…. [Marion Barry,] Don’t tell me how you loved us in the past. I feel just like Janet Jackson. What have you done for me lately?”
Phil Pannel speaking at a meeting of Ward 8 Democrats in Washington, DC. The organization voted 21 to 11 in favor of allowing gay marriage recognition in the District of Columbia. The Ward’s City Council representative, Marion Barry, was not in attendance but was reportedly referred to several times. The former DC Mayor has recently taken a strong stance against gay marriage, though he says he is still for civil unions. He appeared with a group of African-American Baptist ministers in April to denounce the Council for voting unanimously to recognize same-sex marriages performed elsewhere; and again at another meeting on the matter where he said there would be a “civil war” over the issue because black people in this city do not want gay marriage recognition. Barry also stated that there were very few people who are gay or think favorably about gay marriage in his Southeast Ward which is almost completely populated by African-Americans. (Washington Informer)
”This is a new conversation, particularly for the African-American community. We’re all not going to agree, but with more conversation and dialogue I hope we’ll see a little less defensiveness and fear on this issue.”
Jeff Richardson, President of the Gertrude Stein Democratic Club, remaining hopeful despite the fact that Ward 5 Democrats voted to reject the City Council’s recent decision to recognize same-sex marriage in the District of Columbia. Ward 5 includes most of Rhode Island Avenue, areas north of Benning Road, and east of North Capitol Street. So far, members of Wards 2, 4, and 8 are reported to have voted in favor of same-sex marriage recognition. (Washington Examiner)
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