D.C. Mayor Signs Marriage Into Law
Anti-gay religious leaders voiced their opposition to marriage equality in Washington, D.C., but clergy and people of faith were also strong supporters of the measure. For the signing of the bill that would bring marriage equality to the nation’s capital, Mayor Adrian Fenty’s office engaged in something of a scramble to pinpoint the perfect venue, a Dec. 18 Washington Post article reported.
In the end, All Souls Unitarian Church, a diverse and welcoming house of worship, was chosen. It was a fitting choice for the Dec. 18 signing, said Jim Graham, the openly gay D.C. Councilmember in whose ward--Ward 1--the church is located. "It’s great that he’s chosen one of the key churches in this struggle, rather, in this victory, in the most diverse ward in the city," Graham told the Washington Post.
"The signing of this bill marks a watershed moment for human rights in the District of Columbia," said the senior pastor of All Souls, the Rev. Robert Hardies, who addressed supporters who gathered to witness the historic occasion. "No longer will gay and lesbian couples be denied the fundamental right to marriage in our nation’s capital."
Added Hardies, who also serves as co-chair of DC Clergy United for Marriage Equality, as well as being the spokesperson for Standing on the Side of Love spokesman, "I and the nearly 200 DC clergy who supported this bill look forward to celebrating the marriages of loving lesbian and gay couples in sanctuaries like this one all over our city."
"D.C. for Marriage is elated that Mayor Adrian Fenty has signed the Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Equality Amendment Act of 2009, following the overwhelming vote in support of marriage equality by City Council on Tuesday," said the organization’s co-chair, Michael Crawford. "We are blessed to have the continuing strong and diverse support for marriage equality in Washington, D.C from Mayor Fenty, members of the Council, faith leaders, and residents.
"Having the right to legally marry will have an invaluable impact on gay and lesbian people and our families," added Crawford. "Our work has always been about ensuring that every child and every parent in the District has the protection of full equality, so we can strengthen both our families and our community. We are excitedly looking forward to seeing the first couples and their joy as they are finally able to marry, here in the District.
"With today’s bill signing, the District has once again proven its long-time commitment to social justice and equality," Crawford continued. "We have boldly blazed a trail for the rest of the country by creating a coalition of support among clergy representing many different faiths, and residents of every race, ethnicity and origin in this majority African-American city. Together, we have ensured that the first jurisdiction in the South to make marriage equality law is our nation’s capital."
The bill is now subject to a Congressional review period of thirty working days. It is not expected that Congress will overturn the law, but marriage opponents have vowed to press their case at the ballot box. Said Crawford, "As we now focus on defending marriage equality on Capitol Hill, we remain committed to our outreach and education efforts to unify the D.C. community. Our hope is that, as the federal government takes its first look at a local marriage equality measure, Members of Congress will respect the decision made by D.C.’s democratically elected government and not interfere with the enactment of the bill.
"At the same time, the discrimination-promoting groups who stripped marriage equality from our families in California and Maine now have their sights on D.C., and threaten to force a ballot initiative on same-sex marriage, along the lines of California’s Proposition 8 and Maine’s Question 1.
"In D.C., we believe all people and families should be treated equally," Crawford continued. "We disagree with outsiders who come into our city to advocate for discrimination against our friends and our neighbors. Their efforts will fail here.
"Mayor Fenty’s signing of the bill today may not end the fight, but we will triumph," Crawford predicted. "In a matter of months, the work of so many of D.C.’s residents will culminate in full equality for all."
"I applaud Mayor Fenty and the District of Columbia City Council for their courage, compassion, and common sense in bringing full marriage equality to our Nation’s Capitol," said Jennifer Chrisler, the executive director of the Family Equality Council. "Today, in the District of Columbia, nearly 4,000 LGBT headed families, and most importantly their children, have been told they are equally deserving of the benefits, protections, and societal recognition full marriage equality brings.
"In these economically uncertain times, we need elected leaders who will act swiftly and boldly to recognize and protect all of our nation’s families," Chrisler added. "The Family Equality Council will continue to ensure the real stories of real families are heard until the hearts and minds of our national leaders who live in the District, working, socializing, and raising children alongside thousands of LGBT families every day, follow the lead of the District and send the message to our entire nation that all families are equal."
