Same-sex marriage causes dispute
Brian Westley- AP
Issue date: 5/6/09 Section: News
WASHINGTON (AP) - After an emotional debate, the D.C. Council gave final approval Tuesday to legislation that recognizes same-sex marriages performed elsewhere.
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 on the D.C. bill. Obama generally supports civil unions but has said marriage is between a man and a woman.
"The march toward 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. Barry, a longtime supporter of the gay community, called it an "agonizing and difficult decision" that he made after praying and consulting with his constituents and 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 district has long been a place where we have tried to live under our motto of 'Justice for All.' And there is no justice so long as we recognize that some are more equal than others," he said.
Gay-marriage supporters greeted the vote with applause, but they were outnumbered at city hall by outraged opponents, including many black ministers.
The majority-black district is overwhelmingly Democratic, but public support for gay marriage is unclear. Exit polls in California indicated about seven in 10 black voters there weighed in against gay marriage in a November vote.
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 on the D.C. bill. Obama generally supports civil unions but has said marriage is between a man and a woman.
"The march toward 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. Barry, a longtime supporter of the gay community, called it an "agonizing and difficult decision" that he made after praying and consulting with his constituents and 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 district has long been a place where we have tried to live under our motto of 'Justice for All.' And there is no justice so long as we recognize that some are more equal than others," he said.
Gay-marriage supporters greeted the vote with applause, but they were outnumbered at city hall by outraged opponents, including many black ministers.
The majority-black district is overwhelmingly Democratic, but public support for gay marriage is unclear. Exit polls in California indicated about seven in 10 black voters there weighed in against gay marriage in a November vote.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
kjr102
Kevin
posted 5/06/09 @ 2:29 PM CST
I find it funny that African Americans struggled for equality for so long and now some of them are denying other minority groups of their rights. Maybe one day we'll all learn better. (Continued…)
socratic_mudd
posted 5/06/09 @ 6:22 PM CST
homosexuals are NOT a minority group and are certainly not on par with the civil rights movements of the 60's - perhaps if more understood this they would not be surprised that African Americans find the comparison very offensive and, although they might have been otherwise disposed, refrain from supporting gay marriage upon this basis. (Continued…)
C
posted 5/07/09 @ 5:42 AM CST
socratic_mudd - the same argument could have been used by racists themselves during the 1960. Viewing the "other" as not being equal simply promoted the continuation of descrimination. (Continued…)
Timeshare Market Pro
posted 5/07/09 @ 2:21 PM CST
My feeling on same sex marriage is this:
First, it should be legal. This will end up being a violation of a persons rights.
Second, any group that wants to accomplish something like this. (Continued…)
Post a Comment