JRC Celebrates DC and Mexico City Marriages

PRESS RELEASE
March 4, 2010
For Immediate Release:
Contact: Rodney Nickens Jr.
Rodney@jordanrustin.org
Mobile: 562-242-8601

JRC Celebrates Enactment of Washington, D.C.’s Marriage Equality Law

The Barbara Jordan/Bayard Rustin Coalition (JRC) celebrates the enactment of historic Marriage Equality legislation in our nation’s capital. ”As the premiere Black LGBT political organization in Southern California, we congratulate the District of Columbia in providing access to civil marriage to all its residents, the first jurisdiction in the United States with a predominantly Black population to do so” said JRC Board President Ron Buckmire.

Washington, D.C.’s marriage equality legislation became law in spite of desperate efforts by opponents to block its implementation through both legal action and legislative maneuvering in the U.S. House of Representatives, the U.S. Senate and the U.S. Supreme Court. At 8:30a.m. March 3, 2010 more than a hundred same-sex couples began lining
up to apply for licenses at the Moultrie Courthouse where the D.C. marriage bureau is located. Under the bill which passed the D.C, City Council 11-2 and was signed into law by Mayor Adrian Fenty on December 18th 2009, the city will recognize the marriages of same-sex couples performed in other states and countries, and same-sex couples that wish to marry can now apply for marriage licenses as well.

Last week the Attorney General of the neighboring state of Maryland, Douglas F. Gansler, issued an official opinion which says that the state and its agencies should legally recognize same-sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions where they are legally permitted. Maryland is estimated to have an overall population which is approximately 30% African American, and there are thousands of Black same-sex couples in counties which border the District who are likely to take advantage of the new law.

Currently Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire and Iowa all permit and recognize the marriages of same-sex couples. Internationally, South Africa, Canada, Spain, Sweden, Norway, Belgium, and the Netherlands all have legalized marriage for same-sex couples and Portugal’s law is expected to go into effect next month.

It is now possible for same-sex couples to be legally married in the capital cities of all three North American nations. On Thursday March 4th, Mexico City, the Federal District of Mexico, became the first jurisdiction in Latin America to permit and recognize the marriages of same-sex couples. JRC joins our coalition partners Honor Fund and Latin Equality Alliance in celebrating this milestone event in the Latino community.

“JRC will continue to work to fight for marriage equality to be restored in our own home state of California, as well as identify and support the many legally married same-sex couples who are members of the Black community,” said JRC Community Organizer Rodney Nickens, Jr.

JRC (www.jordanrustin.org) exists to empower same-gender loving, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals and families in the Greater Los Angeles area, to promote equal marriage rights and to advocate for fair treatment of everyone without regard to race, sexual orientation and gender identity or expression.

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