D.C. Marriage Bill Introduced

The District of Columbia is poised to become the next jurisdiction in the United States to legalize same-sex marriage now that a bill has been introduced in the DC City Council.

Here's an excerpt from the New York Times coverage:

For the city, the issue has piqued race and class tensions, as most of the vocal opponents represent inner-city black churches, while the more liberal and white population largely backs the measure.

Advocates of the bill hope its success will accelerate efforts to pass similar legislation in Maryland. Maine voters will consider the issue on a ballot initiative in November. New Hampshire is scheduled to begin same sex marriages in 2010.

The City Council has two openly gay members and around 5 percent of the city’s couples identify themselves as gay or lesbian, the second highest rate in the country, according to a 2000 survey by the Human Rights campaign.

If passed, the city would phase out its local domestic partnership law and instead allow two persons who are currently in a valid domestic partnership, as recognized by the city, to apply for and receive a marriage license free of charge.

Ugh, the whole "Blacks versus gays" frame again. DC is 60% Black. Do they not think that the 5% of respondents who say they are gay overlap with that 60% of the population? Black gay people DO exist!

Also, it should be noted that if you are legally married in another jurisdiction (like MadProfessah is) then Washington, D.C. recognizes those marriages now. This bill would allow the 600,000 residents of the District access to marriage equality without having to travel to Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut or Iowa to get hitched.

The Task Force has weighed in on the introduction of DC's marriage bill.

“Today’s introduction of the ‘Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Equality Amendment Act of 2009’ by Councilmember David Catania and 10 co-sponsors is another step toward full freedom and equality in the District of Columbia. It’s time for D.C. to join other fair-minded jurisdictions across this country in issuing marriage certificates to loving and committed same-sex couples.

“Many D.C. couples wish to marry in their hometown and can’t. For some, the financial barriers to traveling to states such as Vermont, Iowa, Connecticut and Massachusetts to marry are too significant. For others, getting married in any of those states may carry less emotional meaning for them or their loved ones, given the significance of the day. For others still, as a matter of principle, they want to be able to get married in the same beautiful city that so many of their friends and neighbors can already get married in.

“To have full marriage rights in our nation’s capital would set a new threshold for other jurisdictions. We look forward to full marriage equality in the District of Columbia, when same-sex couples can be legally married in the city where they live, work, raise their children and make their homes.”

Wonder Man has the link to the video of the bill's introduction by openly gay David Catania.