D.C. Council OKs Same-Sex Marriage Bill

(AP)  After an emotional debate, the D.C. Council gave final approval Tuesday to legislation that recognizes same-sex marriages performed in other states.

The vote is considered the first step toward eventually allowing gay marriages to be performed in Washington. Congress, which has final say over the city's laws, will get 30 days to review the bill assuming Democratic Mayor Adrian Fenty, a supporter, signs it. If Congress takes no action, the bill will become law automatically. President Barack Obama and congressional leaders have not signaled where they stand.

"The march towards equality is coming to this country, and you can either be a part of it or stand in the way," said David Catania, one of two openly gay D.C. Council members.

Vermont, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Iowa already allow gay marriage and lawmakers in several other states are considering whether to do the same. New York recognizes gay marriages performed in other states.

The D.C. Council vote was 12-to-1, with former Mayor Marion Barry casting the lone opposing vote. He called it an "agonizing and difficult decision" that he made after prayer and consulting with the religious community.

Catania called the issue one of fundamental fairness and said it's about acknowledging that his family is just as valid as anybody else's.

The congressional review could be the new Congress' first opportunity to signal its appetite for re-examining the Defense of Marriage Act, which bars federal recognition of same-sex marriages and allows states to do the same.

Advocates from both sides were part of an overflow crowd that filled city hall, and more than 100 opponents from churches in the Washington region held a rally across the street on Freedom Plaza. Among them was the Rev. Derek McCoy from the Hope Christian Church in Beltsville, Md.

"Once you redefine marriage, you redefine family," he said.

Gay marriage supporters gathered outside the council hearing room included Ed Grandis, a lawyer who lives in Dupont Circle with his husband, J.D. Campos. The pair married in California last year during the time same-sex marriage was legal there, and they hope to have their marriage recognized in D.C.

"We don't have any interest in making their religious institution recognize our marriage or our relationship," Grandis said. Instead, Grandis said, it's about the government recognizing the couple's civil rights.

The district already recognizes domestic partnerships, but gay marriage supporters say that's not enough.

"It's an equality issue," said Sara Mindel, who has been with her partner for nine years and has a 10-month-old son. "In my mind, marriage, although it's a wonderful religious ceremony, ultimately gives you so many important states rights and legal rights."

[honestabe8]

Clover: Do you think that culture has no impact on morality and vice versa?

[honestabe8]

Clover: I don't see how those rights are being compromised

[CLoverNYC1]

suppose I would take exception to the prior statement in that I don't know that moral and cultural boundaries are entirely separate.
Posted by honestabe8 at 9:00 AM : May 6, 2009
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Abe:

Morality has to do with what is right and wrong, while culture shifts with the times to encompass what is right at the moment.

There is right and wrong. Ask yourself this, how do you know what is right or wrong?

There will always be homosexuals in our society, just as there will always be poor people. Society as a whole is best served when the least of us is cared for in a humane way - but not at the expense of the rights of the greater majority comprised of heterosexual people.

[honestabe8]

Quasimoto could play the better looking sister of julia roberts.
Posted by endurorob

True, I think they starred together in that football movie The Hunchback Of Notre Dame.

[endurorob]

I would extend it to say that civil union laws would apply to heterosexual as well as homosexual couples
Posted by honestabe8 at 8:45 AM : May 6, 2009

They do. It is called common law marrige but the requirements very from state to state.

[endurorob]

rob: Delaney was the main star on a show called China Beach, and Gish has been on a lot of things, catching my eye as Julia Robert's (better looking) sister in Mystic Pizza
Posted by honestabe8 at 8:31 AM : May 6, 2009

I remebr Delany from China Beach and I did see Mystic Pizza (once with the wife) but still don't recall Gish. Besides, Quasimoto could play the better looking sister of julia roberts.

[honestabe8]

Clover: Thank you, too. Civility is sometimes lacking on these boards. Myself included.

[honestabe8]

Empty pots make the most noise.
Posted by CLoverNYC1

Well financed pots make the most noise. There are lots of vocal Christians in this country, too.

"Yes. Cultural boundaries are constantly shifting but moral boundaries have to be protected."

I suppose I would take exception to the prior statement in that I don't know that moral and cultural boundaries are entirely separate. 50 years ago, much of the country may have thought of inter-racial marriage, or separate drinking fountains were moral issue. And, I don't know that that homosexuality is a moral issue.

[CLoverNYC1]

Posted by honestabe8 at 8:49 AM : May 6, 2009
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Abe,

Actually we disagree a great deal, but we do it with civility. Thanks.

[CLoverNYC1]

Culture changes
Posted by honestabe8 at 8:43 AM : May 6, 2009
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Abe,

Yes. Cultural boundaries are constantly shifting but moral boundaries have to be protected.

You can separate church and state, but you cannot separate religion from society.

Homosexuals only account for a mere 2% of the population here in the U.S., but are extremely vocal because of the liberal media. Empty pots make the most noise.