Support Grows for the Freedom to Marry in DC
Posted on May 22, 2009 at 10:54 am
Washington Blade
May 22, 2009
The discussion over whether the District of Columbia should legalize the freedom to marry picked up steam and moved to the city’s neighborhoods over the past week as the Democratic Party committees in wards 8 and 6 voted to endorse full marriage equality for gays while the party committee in Ward 5 voted “no” on the issue. Meanwhile, another member of the City Council, Harry Thomas (D-Ward 5), said through a spokesperson that he would vote for a full marriage bill, making him the 11th member of the 13-member Council to inform the Blade in an informal survey of their support for the legislation. [link]
May 22, 2009
The discussion over whether the District of Columbia should legalize the freedom to marry picked up steam and moved to the city’s neighborhoods over the past week as the Democratic Party committees in wards 8 and 6 voted to endorse full marriage equality for gays while the party committee in Ward 5 voted “no” on the issue. Meanwhile, another member of the City Council, Harry Thomas (D-Ward 5), said through a spokesperson that he would vote for a full marriage bill, making him the 11th member of the 13-member Council to inform the Blade in an informal survey of their support for the legislation. [link]
Two Anti-marriage Bills Introduced in Congress
Posted on May 22, 2009 at 10:07 am
HRC Back Story
May 22, 2009
Two bills aimed at thwarting marriage rights for same-sex couples were introduced in the U.S. House yesterday. One, H.J.Res.54 is a resolution that formally “disapproves” of the elected DC council and Mayor’s decision to recognize marriages of same-sex couples performed in other jurisdictions. Introduced by Rep. Paul Broun of Georgia, the resolution is the first step if Congress tries to use its formal role in overruling the District’s local affairs. [link]
May 22, 2009
Two bills aimed at thwarting marriage rights for same-sex couples were introduced in the U.S. House yesterday. One, H.J.Res.54 is a resolution that formally “disapproves” of the elected DC council and Mayor’s decision to recognize marriages of same-sex couples performed in other jurisdictions. Introduced by Rep. Paul Broun of Georgia, the resolution is the first step if Congress tries to use its formal role in overruling the District’s local affairs. [link]
Marriage for Gays Making Inroads in Black Community in DC
Posted on May 21, 2009 at 12:33 am
Washington Post
May 20, 2009
In the District of Columbia, where African-Americans are the majority and black congregations dominate, the recent vote to recognize marriages for same-sex couples may signal the gay rights movement is making inroads among groups traditionally opposed to it. [link]
May 20, 2009
In the District of Columbia, where African-Americans are the majority and black congregations dominate, the recent vote to recognize marriages for same-sex couples may signal the gay rights movement is making inroads among groups traditionally opposed to it. [link]
A Vote in DC’s African American Community to End Discrimination in Marriage
Posted on May 17, 2009 at 08:57 pm
Washington Post
May 17, 2009
The District's debate on marriage for gays continued yesterday in the basement of a library in Ward 8, the predominantly African American community that council member Marion Barry invoked in justifying his recent vote against a bill to recognize marriages of gay couples performed outside of the city. And yesterday, gay rights advocates declared victory in a key battle to set the tone in the fight for marriage equality when the Ward 8 Democrats voted 21 to 11 to support the legalization of marriage for gay couples, in preparation for legislation expected to be introduced in the D.C. Council this year. [link]
May 17, 2009
The District's debate on marriage for gays continued yesterday in the basement of a library in Ward 8, the predominantly African American community that council member Marion Barry invoked in justifying his recent vote against a bill to recognize marriages of gay couples performed outside of the city. And yesterday, gay rights advocates declared victory in a key battle to set the tone in the fight for marriage equality when the Ward 8 Democrats voted 21 to 11 to support the legalization of marriage for gay couples, in preparation for legislation expected to be introduced in the D.C. Council this year. [link]
Look Who’s in Bed Together on Marriage Equality Fight
Posted on May 17, 2009 at 08:54 pm
Washington Post
May 17, 2009
L ying on his cot in the Longworth House Office Building in the small of the night, Jason Chaffetz had a scary dream: The conservative Republican from Utah had beaten the odds, defeated an incumbent and made it to Washington, only to end up by some bizarre twist of events arm-in-arm with Marion Barry, the crack-smoking laughingstock former mayor of the District of Columbia as they both work to oppose the freedom to marry for gays. [link]
May 17, 2009
L ying on his cot in the Longworth House Office Building in the small of the night, Jason Chaffetz had a scary dream: The conservative Republican from Utah had beaten the odds, defeated an incumbent and made it to Washington, only to end up by some bizarre twist of events arm-in-arm with Marion Barry, the crack-smoking laughingstock former mayor of the District of Columbia as they both work to oppose the freedom to marry for gays. [link]
Barry, Obama & The Winding Road To Marriage for Gays
Posted on May 11, 2009 at 10:01 am
Washington Post
May 11, 2009
When the history of this country's journey toward acceptance of marriage equality is written, much will be made of the startling swiftness with which one state after another embraced gay marriage in a matter of a few months in 2008 and 2009. But those same historians will find a dissonant note in this social revolution: What's behind these strange turns in the public attitudes of former D.C. Mayor Marion Barry and President Barack Obama? [link]
May 11, 2009
When the history of this country's journey toward acceptance of marriage equality is written, much will be made of the startling swiftness with which one state after another embraced gay marriage in a matter of a few months in 2008 and 2009. But those same historians will find a dissonant note in this social revolution: What's behind these strange turns in the public attitudes of former D.C. Mayor Marion Barry and President Barack Obama? [link]
The District Takes a Stand for Equality
Posted on May 10, 2009 at 03:02 pm
Washington Post
May 10, 2009
Op-Ed From DC Concilman David Catania
"Recognizing lawful same-sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions is a step toward marriage equality, but it is not the last step. This year, I intend to introduce legislation that will permit same-sex marriages to be performed in the District. It is my hope that this matter can be decided by D.C. residents through the local political process." [link]
May 10, 2009
Op-Ed From DC Concilman David Catania
"Recognizing lawful same-sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions is a step toward marriage equality, but it is not the last step. This year, I intend to introduce legislation that will permit same-sex marriages to be performed in the District. It is my hope that this matter can be decided by D.C. residents through the local political process." [link]
Openly Gay Missouri Senator Marries Partner in Iowa
Posted on May 10, 2009 at 02:29 pm
The Maneater
Univ. of Missouri Student Newspaper
May 7, 2009
Just days after Missouri's first openly gay state senator married her partner in Iowa, she found out her marriage could be honored in the nation's capital. Sen. Jolie Justus, D-Kansas City, and her partner Shonda Garrison wed May 1, along with 16 other couples that took a bus trip to Iowa. [link]
Univ. of Missouri Student Newspaper
May 7, 2009
Just days after Missouri's first openly gay state senator married her partner in Iowa, she found out her marriage could be honored in the nation's capital. Sen. Jolie Justus, D-Kansas City, and her partner Shonda Garrison wed May 1, along with 16 other couples that took a bus trip to Iowa. [link]
NY Times Editorial: “This Is a Question of Fairness’
Posted on May 08, 2009 at 10:21 am
New York Times
May 8, 2009
This week, the City Council of the District of Columbia voted to recognize marriages between gay people certified in other states. Unfortunately, there already are calls for Congress to once more tread on home rule and block this progress in the nation’s capital. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is right to caution against such grandstanding. Governor Baldacci of Maine heard the people speak. Congress should listen. [link]
May 8, 2009
This week, the City Council of the District of Columbia voted to recognize marriages between gay people certified in other states. Unfortunately, there already are calls for Congress to once more tread on home rule and block this progress in the nation’s capital. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is right to caution against such grandstanding. Governor Baldacci of Maine heard the people speak. Congress should listen. [link]
DC Mayor says he signed marriage bill
Posted on May 07, 2009 at 01:25 pm
NBC Washington
May 7, 2009
DC Mayor Adrian Fenty says he's signed the marriage bill, discusses school vouchers and says the school board has its place. [Link]
May 7, 2009
DC Mayor Adrian Fenty says he's signed the marriage bill, discusses school vouchers and says the school board has its place. [Link]