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Saturday, January 9th, 2010
Today the D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics set a hearing date for an initiative proposed by a Ward 8 resident that would limit marriage in the District to heterosexual couples. The initiative simply reads, “Marriage is the legally recognized union between one man and one woman. No person may enter into a marriage in the District of Columbia with another person unless it is a man and a woman.” The board will hear arguments for and against the initiative on Feb. 16.
This is the second initiative filed so far; there have also been two referenda petitions filed. This initiative was proposed by Joyce Little in late December. This isn’t Little’s first attempt to stop same-sex marriage from becoming legal in the District, either. According to the D.C. Agenda, Little filed a motion in December that would have stopped the D.C. Council from voting on the same-sex marriage legislation. Her motion was turned down. (The motion is here in .PDF format.)
Little, who has identified herself as a Christian who sees homosexuality as an “abomination,” has also argued that same-sex marriage will have a negative impact on the city’s poor.
Full Story from DCist: http://dcist.com/2010/01/hearing_set_for_initiative_limiting.php
Click here for gay marriage resources in Washington, DC.
To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.
Posted in anti, dc board of elections and ethics, Gay Marriage, marriage equality, same sex marriage, washington dc | No Responses »
Saturday, December 26th, 2009
Bob King is a longtime Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner (ANC) from Ward 5 in Washington, DC. He is also a proponent of letting the DC gay marriage issue go to popular vote. Upset that the DC Board of Elections and Ethics ruled twice that the majority cannot vote on the rights of the minority, Bob King sent a letter earlier this month to all 535 members of Congress asking that they force the DC gay marriage issue to popular vote.
With the letter he attached a one-page list of bullet points outlining why DC residents should be allowed to vote on gay marriage. His basic argument was that with 416,657 registered voters in Washington, DC, the issue of gay marriage should not be left up to 13 city council members. He feels as though DC (which is not a state and has no voting power in Congress) should have the same rights as the 31 states that have voted to define marriage.
Mr. King also feels that many residents are not be fairly represented. ”Three Advisory Neighborhood Commissions have adopted joint resolutions, and over 50 individual ANC Commissioners have already signed on to the People’s Resolution calling for a citizens’ initiative on the definition of marriage in D.C. This represents over 100,000 District residents.”
Full Story from Gay Vantage: http://www.gayvantage.com/uncategorized/will-bob-king-kill-gay-marriage-in-dc-48472011/
Click here for gay marriage resources in Washington, DC.
To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.
Posted in bob king, congress, dc, district of columbia, Gay Marriage, public vote, washington dc | No Responses »
Saturday, December 26th, 2009
First we learned that the newly passed DC gay marriage law is under attack by Congressman Jason Caffetz. Earlier today we learned about Bob King, who petitioned Congress to allow the issue to go to popular vote.
Now we’re hearing that Stand for Marriage DC, a group that opposes same-sex marriage in the nation’s capital has bought ads from the DC metro system.
In response, another group, Full Equality Now DC, has demanded the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) remove the ads from metro buses. The group feels that it disrespects and discriminates against the LGBT community, an issue of indecency and in direct violation of WMATA’s own policy against discrimination.
Full Story from Gay Vantage: http://www.gayvantage.com/gay-news/anti-gay-marriage-ads-pop-up-on-dc-metro-7562617100/
Click here for gay marriage resources in Washington, DC.
To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.
Posted in ads, anti gay, dc, district of columbia, Gay Marriage, marriage equality, metro, subway, washington dc | No Responses »
Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009
Although gay marriage will soon be taking place in Washington DC (so long as Congress does not block it, which they are not expected to do), opponents of same-sex marriage have filed suit against the District of Columbia over the DC Board of Elections and Ethics decision to not let gay marriage become a ballot issue.
One the same day that Mayor Fenty was signing the new gay marriage law, the District filed a motion (found below) to have the lawsuit dismissed.
In the 46-page motion, lawyers for the District argue that the DC Board of Elections and Ethics was correct in rejecting the ballot measure in that it violated the DC Human Rights Act by discriminating against GLBT people. The DC Code does not permit initiatives that “authorize discrimination.”
Full Story from Gay Vantage: http://www.gayvantage.com/gay-news/dc-gay-marriage-lawsuit-2484010018/
Click here for gay marriage resources in Washington, DC.
To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.
Posted in dismissal, district of columbia, Gay Marriage, lawsuit, washington dc | No Responses »
Sunday, December 20th, 2009
Robin Sutliff’s flower shop is redolent with the ingredients of a perfect wedding place setting: tall stands of white amaryllis, cala lilies imported from South America, summery clusters of yellow-orange orchids. When she imagines the many same-sex couples likely to tie the knot in the District this spring, though, her mind settles on the humble hyacinth. “It’s a pretty flower,” said Sutliff, owner of Ultra Violet florist in Georgetown. “It smells good, and it’s strong. It represents spring and new birth.”
On Friday, Mayor Adrian M. Fenty (D) signed legislation to legalize same-sex marriage in the District, a move that is expected to be a financial boon for the city and for vendors such as Sutliff, who make much of their money on weddings but who have struggled during the recession. District officials surmise that the regional economy could reap up to $22 million over the next three years as couples from Washington and elsewhere take advantage of the new law, and the Williams Institute, a think tank at the University of California at Los Angeles, estimates that the infusion could be $52 million.
But the betrothed are not lining up quite yet. The law is subject to a 30-day review period by Congress, and opponents have taken their objections to court. Although many expect the bill to pass unhindered this spring, couples say the memory of California’s Proposition 8 remains fresh in their minds. The 2008 voter-approved initiative banned same-sex marriage in the state after it had been legalized, a setback to many hopeful couples and a stunning reversal to those who thought gay marriage was on the path to mainstream acceptance.
Full Story from the Washington Post: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/19/AR2009121902234.html?wprss=rss_metro
Click here for gay marriage resources in Washington, DC.
To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.
Posted in dc, district of columbia, economic windfall, Gay Marriage, marriage equality, same sex marriage, vendors, washington dc | No Responses »
Friday, December 18th, 2009
The nation’s capital city is expected a major step Friday towards legalizing same-sex marriage. District of Columbia Mayor Adrian Fenty is scheduled to sign a measure that would recognize gay marriages as legal. The city council overwhelming passed the bill on Tuesday, following a similar vote on December 1.
According to Fenty’s schedule, posted on-line, the mayor will perform the signing at All Souls Church, a Unitarian house of worship in the northwest part of the District that is known for its diversity and for the welcoming of same-sex couples.
Following the mayor’s signing of the legislation, the measure goes to Congress for a 30-day review period, but it’s considered unlikely that the Democratic majority on Capitol Hill will block the bill. By law, Congress has the right to review and overturn laws created by the District’s city council. If the measure becomes law, the District would join Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont and Iowa in allowing legal same-sex marriages. A law legalizing gay marriage in New Hampshire takes affect on January 1.
Full Story from CNN: http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/12/18/dc-mayor-to-sign-same-sex-marriage-bill/
Click here for gay marriage resources in Washington, DC.
To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.
Posted in district of columbia, Gay Marriage, marriage equality, mayor adrian fenty, sign, washington dc | No Responses »
Wednesday, December 16th, 2009
Utah Representative Jason Chaffetz has vowed to lead an effort in Congress to block a gay marriage bill approved in the District of Columbia Tuesday. With an 11 to 2 vote, lawmakers approved the gay marriage bill, which is expected to be signed by Mayor Adrian Fenty before Christmas. Under Home Rule, Congress has final say on laws approved in the District.
Chaffetz, a freshman representative, told the Salt Lake Tribune that he’ll introduce a resolution in January.
“It’s going to be exceptionally difficult because Democrats have us outnumbered by large amounts,” he said. “Nevertheless, we’re going to try.”
Full Story from On Top Magazine: http://ontopmag.com/article.aspx?id=5009&MediaType=1&Category=26
Click here for gay marriage resources in Washington, DC.
To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.
Posted in congressman, district of columbia, Gay Marriage, jason chaffetz, republican, Tuesday, utah, vote, washington dc | No Responses »
Wednesday, December 16th, 2009
The District was on the verge Tuesday of becoming the sixth place in the country to legalize same-sex marriage after the council gave final approval to its bill allowing the unions. The legislation would allow gay couples from anywhere in the country to marry in the city. Those couples who live in the District would be entitled to all rights afforded to heterosexual married couples under District laws.
Although a final signature on the bill by Mayor Adrian M. Fenty (D) could come by the end of the week, same-sex marriage opponents vowed to step up their effort to get Congress or a court to block the initiative during the 30-day congressional review period.
The 11 to 2 council decision, which caps a nearly year-long debate, set off a wave of excitement across the gay community, both locally and nationally. “In many ways, this is the final prize,” said council member Jim Graham (D-Ward 1), one of two people on the council who are openly gay.
Full Story from the Washington Post: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/15/AR2009121500945.html?hpid=moreheadlines
Click here for gay marriage resources in Washington, DC.
To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.
Posted in district of columbia, Gay Marriage, Tuesday, vote, washington dc | No Responses »
Wednesday, December 16th, 2009
Our shot of the day comes from Tuesday’s City Council meeting in Washington, DC in which the members voted to legalize gay marriage in the nation’s capitol. The mayor says he will sign the bill into law.
As we told you then, the measure still has to be approved by Congress. However, Congress did not act when the same council voted to recognize same sex marriages performed outside the District. Many believe that any action by Congress will automatically create a national referendum on marriage equality.
Full Story from Gay Socialites: http://gaysocialites.com/2009/12/watch_the_dc_council_legalize_1.html
Click here for gay marriage resources in Washington, DC.
To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.
Posted in district of columbia, Gay Marriage, Tuesday, vote, washington dc | No Responses »
Tuesday, December 15th, 2009
The D.C. Council will hold its final vote Tuesday on whether to legalize same-sex marriage in the District, capping a debate that has gone on almost all year. Most members of the 13-member council have said they will support the legislation. The vote is expected about midday. If the bill passes, it will be sent to Mayor Adrian M. Fenty (D), who is expected to sign it before Christmas. The bill will become law this spring if, as expected, it survives a 30-day congressional review period.
“We are on the verge of history,” Council member David A. Catania (I-At large), the lead sponsor of the bill, told about 350 same-sex marriage supporters at a pre-vote rally Monday night in Shaw. “For the world to see gays and lesbian couples equal to straight couples in the nation’s capital, that is an important message.”
Council member Harry Thomas (D-Ward 5), who also addressed the crowd, said the council is poised to send a signal to the nation “this is a human rights issue for justice and equality.”
Full Story from the Washington Post: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/15/AR2009121500945.html?wprss=rss_metro/dc
Click here for gay marriage resources in Washington, DC.
To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.
Posted in bill, David Catania, district of columbia, Gay Marriage, second vote, washington dc | No Responses »
