D.C. Council votes to recognize legal same-sex marriages
By: Michael Neibauer
Examiner Staff Writer
May 5, 2009
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| Gary Seronko (L) and his partner Curtis Rathmeier are married by Rev. Peg Esperanza on the steps of the Polk County Administration Building April 27, 2009 in Des Moines, Iowa. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) (Getty Images) |
The D.C. Council on Tuesday agreed to recognize same-sex marriages legally performed in other jurisdictions, spurring chaos outside the Council chambers as gay marriage opponents called for the heads of the bill's supporters.
The bill now goes to Mayor Adrian Fenty for his signature, and then to Congress for a final 30-day review.
“This is a very proud day for the D.C. Council,” said Peter Rosenstein, prominent D.C. gay activist.
The measure passed, as expected, by a 12-1 vote, with only Ward 8 Councilman Marion Barry dissenting. Barry said his decision was “agonizing and difficult,” given his nearly 40 years fighting for gay rights, but “I am a politician who is moral,” he said.
“I've been a friend of this community, and will continue to be a friend of this community,” Barry said from the council dais. “But I don't want them to make this is a litmus test, because if it's a litmus test, then it's not a true friendship. In a democracy you ought to be able to disagree without being put to a test.”
But at-large Councilman David Catania, one of the council's two openly gay members, accused Barry of holding a “bigoted position.” The vote, Catania said, is “self-evident.”
“This is about acknowledging our families as much as we acknowledge yours,” said Catania, who is in a seven-year committed relationship. “It is immoral to be my friend on one hand and then say you deserve the same rights that I do not.”
Catania then told Barry: “Your position is bigoted. I don't believe you are.”
The recognition bill is widely considered a precedent to gay marriage legislation in the District, which might be introduced this year. It is coming, Catania said, and there's nothing that can stop it.
At-large Councilman Phil Mendelson attached the gay marriage recognition amendment to a bill having nothing to do with marriage. The legislation simply provides the U.S. District Court with access to records for the purposes of jury selection.
“I think that's an issue of fundamental fairness,” Mendelson said. “To do otherwise is discriminatory. People in committed relationships deserve rights, benefits and equal protections, and that's what's before us.”
Outside the chambers following the vote, frustration among gay marriage opponents spilled over. Several people shouted, “Get them off that seat. Get them out of that council.” A man identifying himself as Rev. Charlie Smith repeatedly yelled, “They need to go.”
“Catania first,” Smith said. “No matter what ward you're in you can vote him out.”
On the flip side were Juan Campos and Ed Grandis, both Dupont Circle residents who traveled to West Hollywood last July to be married. They wore their marriage certificates on their T-shirts.
“”We believe there's a responsibility by government to honor both the city's and the federal government's equal protection clause,” Grandis said.
mneibauer@washingtonexaminer.com
