D.C. Council Approves Marriage Equality 11-2 in First of Two Votes
UPDATED
The D.C. Council has voted 11-2 in favor of marriage equality: "It was the first of two votes on the issue allowing same-sex marriage in the nation's capital. The bill sponsored by openly gay Councilman David Catania has been expected to pass for some time, as 10 of the 13 council members supported its introduction. The final vote is expected later this month, and Mayor Adrian Fenty has said he will sign the bill."
"The D.C. Council will take the first of two scheduled votes Tuesday morning on a bill to legalize same-sex marriage in the District.
The debate at the John A. Wilson Building is expected to draw throngs of supporters and opponents of same-sex marriage.
But with 10 of 13 council members sponsoring the bill, its passage is all but certain. Following Tuesday's vote, the council will take a second vote in two weeks before the proposal goes to Mayor Adrian M. Fenty (D), who has vowed to sign it.
In the weeks leading up to Tuesday's vote, D.C. Council members have been locked in a heated debate with the Catholic Archdiocese of Washington over some of the provisions of the bill.
As drafted, religious organizations would not have to participate in same-sex weddings, but there has been considerable debate about whether they would have to extend the same benefits to their married gay employees as heterosexual couples.
Council members are expected to address church concerns, but are not likely to make major changes to the bill."




Great News! Congratulations to everyone who's been waiting to get married in DC!
Posted by: Felix | Dec 1, 2009 10:34:22 AM
Woohoo, Marriage passed 11-2 in the first vote. The hubby and I have decided to marry in front of NOM's headquarters next year. Wonder if Mags will be our Matron of Dishonor?
Posted by: Scott | Dec 1, 2009 12:30:19 PM
It'll last a few years any way.
If White America - minorities rarely show up for a mid-term election - gives Congress back to the Republicans in 2010, they'll undoubtedly begin a repeal effort.
Though Obama would probably veto any legislation that contains a marriage ban. Not because he's against it, mind you, but because congressional meddling contradicts his stated position with regards to home rule for Washington DC.
And should Sarah Palin become president in 2012 (exasperated sigh), same-sex marriage in DC is a goner.
Sadly, I agree with Bill Maher here. This country really is stupid enough to elect her president because they're "bored" with the black man.
Posted by: John | Dec 1, 2009 1:01:09 PM
scott- thats awsome - actually your Idea is GREAT! Maybe you should try and get numerous cpls to marry in FRONT of thier ofcs....and get the News to show up...woohoo! Screw that ugly bitch.
Posted by: Disgusted American | Dec 1, 2009 1:03:42 PM
Congratulations, D.C.!
Are you paying attention, NY and NJ? (Not to mention the rest of the country)
Posted by: ichabod | Dec 1, 2009 1:22:21 PM
Somewhere in Jersey Maggie Gallagher's head just exploded!
Posted by: JerzeeMike | Dec 1, 2009 1:38:18 PM
Great news for the gays in DC. And curses on the Catholic Church for not wanting to follow the law when it comes to their own employees. No surprise from the church of enabled child abusers.
Posted by: Brian from Tucson | Dec 1, 2009 3:00:55 PM
It's almost funny that DC sits right on top of Virginia -- a state that will be one of the last dozen to provide marriage equality.
Posted by: sparks | Dec 1, 2009 3:39:16 PM
Just remember it can be put on the ballot in 2010 and be disappointed when it doesn't pass. NOM I believe is rapidly running out of money. It would be just like the Massachusetts and it would have to go through the DC Supreme court and hopefully become law. Somebody would have to become named in the suit. Like California It let the people named in the suit stay married and that was it. Hopefully, the DC Courts are not bigoted like California. Hope everything works out for you; I am pulling for you.
Posted by: Jeff Dunivant | Dec 2, 2009 8:57:50 AM