D.C. Council passes marriage bill

[Newsjock]

Source: DC Agenda

Same-sex couples came one step closer to marrying in the nation’s capital after the D.C. City Council voted 11-2 on Tuesday to allow it.

The bill’s passage — opposed by Council members Marion Barry (D-Ward 8) and Yvette Alexander (D-Ward 7) — won quick praise from gay civil rights activists.

... Mayor Adrian Fenty has pledged to sign the same-sex marriage bill, which must next undergo a congressional review of 30 legislative days before it becomes law. The review is expected to begin later this month.

Democratic and Republican observers on Capitol Hill have agreed that the Democratic-controlled Congress is expected to block attempts by same-sex marriage opponents to overturn the bill. Democrats have said the District’s local, home-rule government should be allowed to pass it own laws unhampered by Congress, even if some members of Congress don’t support a particular law.

Read more: http://dcagenda.com/2009/12/15/d-c-council-passes-same-sex-marriage-bill/

[babylonsister]

1. Great! nt

[NJmaverick]

2. Great news!

[alp227]

3. Yay! (But i Double posted)

[EFerrari]

4. Finally. Good news.

[CatholicEdHead]

5. Yah! Good for DC!

And good for Congress to hold back any attempt to roll this back. Calling the local bishop's bluff on Catholic Charities.

[Rebubula]

6. Way to go, DC

Good job and stand strong against the Jesus-bigots and those whose marriage is too weak to survive gay folk getting married.

[alp227]

7. D.C. Council Approves Gay Marriage

Source: Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Washington, D.C., City Council voted Tuesday to legalize gay marriage in the nation's capital, handing supporters a victory after a string of recent defeats in Maine, New York and New Jersey.

Mayor Adrian Fenty has promised to sign the bill, which passed 11-2, and gay couples could begin marrying as early as March. Congress, which has final say over Washington's laws, could reject it, but Democratic leaders have suggested they are reluctant to do so.

The bill had overwhelming support among council members and was expected to pass, though opponents have vowed to try to get Congress or voters to overturn it.

David Catania, who introduced the bill and is one of two openly gay council members, called the bill a ''matter of social justice'' before the vote.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/12/15/us/AP-US-DC-Gay-Marriage.html

---

All I gotta say is...hip hip hooray! A gay marriage approval untainted by the bigotry of voters. (That's because voters have voted against gay marriage in ballot propositions from Arizona, California, Florida, and Maine.)

[napi21]

8. Hmmm...called the Catholics bluff huh. I wonder if they will still stop caring for the poor &

homeless in DC like they threatened?

[CatholicEdHead]

9. I hope not, time will tell

And of the DC bishop does that there will be backlash of an different sort by walking away from the poor over an petty "issue" like this.

[LibertyLover]

11. They did up in Massachusetts when MA passed gay marriage

so I'm sure that they will here in DC as well. Catholic bishops don't like to be ignored and there will be payback. I bet that old Benny is half thinking about putting the city under interdict like medieval popes did to cities and states that annoyed them.

[CatholicEdHead]

12. So vindictive and narrow minded

Punish others for that others completely unrelated to them did.

[napi21]

13. I'm a Catholic & I agree with you. It's like all their ranting on

abortion. Abortion, gay sex, gay marriage, divorce, the death penalty & a host of other thigs are considered mortal sins by the church too, and my feeling is, if you disagree with you believe sdomething is wrong DON'T DO IT!

Part of the Church's mission is to care for the poor, hungry, homeless, and less fortunate than the rest of us. If that's your mission, why are you ignoring it? I don't undertand.

[FourScore]

10. k/r nt

[Odin2005]

14. YAY!!!

The RCC can eat shit.

[kpete]

15. DC City Council votes to legalize gay marriage

Source: Associated Press

Dec 15, 7:08 PM EST

DC City Council votes to legalize gay marriage

By JESSICA GRESKO
Associated Press Writer


WASHINGTON (AP) -- After suffering setbacks from California to New York, Maine to New Jersey, same-sex marriage supporters got a victory Tuesday with the City Council's vote to legalize gay marriage in the District of Columbia.

Gay couples could begin tying the knot in the district as early as March. The only hurdles left to clear are the city's mayor, who has promised to sign the bill, and Congress, which has final say over laws in the nation's capital. The district's nonvoting delegate to Congress, Eleanor Holmes Norton, said she expects no opposition there.

"Make no mistake, 2009 has been one hell of a year for marriage equality," said David Catania, who introduced the bill and is one of two openly gay council members.

Read more: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_DC_GAY_MARRIAGE?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2009-12-15-14-47-15

[suffragette]

16. Glad to hear some good news today

Thanks kpete!

[seeinfweggos]

17. kick and rec from a PROUD houstonian

[SemperEadem]

18. take that, DC archdiocese

now what cha gon' do? Pay some taxes?

[CK_John]

19. A good first step, but....Approval by Congress is a big step two. n/t

[defendandprotect]

20. Thankful for a bit of good news -- !!!

[CatholicEdHead]

21. DC Archdiocese is blinking

http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/undergod/2009/12/catholic_church_dc_say_a_compromise_still_possible_on_same-sex_measure.html

"Catholic Charities is committed to working with the City Council, DC agencies and the Mayor to move forward in the most positive manner possible for the residents of the District who rely on our services," said a statement last night by Catholic Charities.

And from the archdiocese: "We are committed to serving the needs of the poor and look forward to working in partnership with the District of Columbia consistent with the mission of the Catholic Church," said its statement.