The District of Columbia City Council this week gave its final approval to a bill that seeks to extend full marriage rights to same-sex couples in the district.
The council voted 11-2 Dec. 15 to approve a marriage-equality bill that now awaits the signature of Mayor Adrian Fenty, a marriage-equality advocate.
“Today’s vote is a victory for all D.C. residents, whose relationships will soon be treated equally and fairly in the eyes of the law,” said Human Rights Campaign president Joe Solmonese. “This legislation is an important and historic step toward equal dignity, equal respect and equal rights for same-sex couples here in our nation’s capital, which also preserves the right of clergy and congregations to adhere to their faiths. The legislation the council passed today reinforces the legal equality and religious freedoms to which all D.C. residents are entitled.”
Congress will have a 30-day period to submit a joint resolution opposing the bill, which would have to be signed by President Obama in order to nullify the measure. If no resolution is submitted, or if Obama does not sign on, the law will automatically go into effect. However, members of Congress could still attempt to attach an amendment overturning the bill to another piece of legislation, which is reportedly being considered by Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah).
Councilmembers Marion Barry and Yvette Alexander were the lone dissenters, who also voted against the legislation on its first reading earlier this month.
About 400 people gathered for a rally on the eve of the vote at the Shaw Center, including councilmembers Harry Thomas and David Catania, who is openly gay and who thanked supporters and even made mention of Barry and Alexander.
“I want to thank the two who are not with us. Not because they are not with us now, but because they have been with us so often on so many other issues,” Catania said.
The Catholic Archdiocese of D.C. threatened last month to end its social-service programs, employed through its Catholic Charities agency, if the bill goes through, saying that it could not offer employment benefits or adoption services for married same-sex couples because of church doctrine.
Susan Gibbs, spokesperson for the archdiocese, said in a statement Tuesday that the archdiocese and Catholic Charities are “deeply committed to serving those in need, regardless of race, creed, gender, ethnic origin or sexual orientation” and said both organizations will “look forward to working in partnership with the District of Columbia consistent with the mission of the Catholic Church.”
Marriage equality has suffered several setbacks in the past few weeks. Voters in Maine overturned the state’s marriage-equality law in November, and the New York legislature defeated an attempt to legalize same-sex marriage in that state.
Besides D.C., marriage-equality supporters and opponents have been focused on New Jersey, where a Senate committee approved a bill that would allow same-sex marriage last week. A Senate vote was postponed, however, to allow for a hearing and debate in the Assembly, which has not yet been scheduled. New Jersey would need to pass a marriage-equality bill before Jan. 19, when Gov. Jon Corzine (D), a supporter of same-sex marriage, leaves office and Gov.-elect Chris Christie (R), an opponent, takes the reins of the state.
Jen Colletta can be reached at [email protected].