by Mark Silva
The gay-marriage question has landed in the nation's capital, where the District of Columbia council today voted to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states.
The vote was unanimous, 13-0, until councilman Marion Barry proclaimed that he didn't realize what he was voting for and asked for reconsideration of the measure.
The measure was amended to another bill.
If Congress does not intervene, council member David A. Catania has said that he will introduce a separate bill this year to allow same-sex marriages to be performed in the District.
Some argue that the measure would have to go to a referendum.
Same-sex marriage is finding approval in some states as well -- from Iowa to New England -- while a majority of Americans surveyed nationally say they oppose it.
A CNN and Opinion Research Corp. poll released this week asked: "Do you think marriages between gay and lesbian couples should or should not be recognized by the law as valid, with the same rights as traditional marriages?''
54 percent of those surveyed nationally said no, 44 percent yes.
Comments
Civil liberties for gay people are coming to America whether the stuck in the past conservatives like it or not. Next up: drug legalization.
It's time to make that "land of the free" thing something more than a slogan. It's time for individual rights in America!
Posted by: John Jacobson | May 5, 2009 1:56 PM
You know, if the GOP were still vocal advocates of State's Rights, they would by principle let D.C. decide its own fate on the issue.
But since there is no principles, just situations, the GOP will fight this all the way.
And the Democratic Congress would rather not deal with this issue now, so what will they do?
Posted by: RRA | May 5, 2009 2:35 PM
Ah, now there's a question.
Congress couldn't do the abortion thing, so the Supremes did, thus creating legislation.
Every STATE should have the "People", vote on such a diverse choice of lifestyle.
Let the people vote on it to put it into their Constitution.
Posted by: PG | May 5, 2009 4:57 PM
Every STATE should have the "People", vote on such a diverse choice of lifestyle.
Let the people vote on it to put it into their Constitution.
Posted by: PG | May 5, 2009 4:57 PM
Brilliant. We should have each state vote on a whole list of groups to discriminate against! Gays, Blacks, Muslims, Athiests, Jews, Christians, Women. Let the people decide who has full rights, and who are second class citizens. We don't need the equal protection clause. Let the tyranny of the majority decide.
Posted by: Bull Conor | May 5, 2009 6:40 PM
Every STATE should have the "People", vote on such a diverse choice of lifestyle. Let the people vote on it to put it into their Constitution.
Posted by: PG | May 5, 2009 4:57 PM
************
"diverse CHOICE of lifestyle"?
You GOPer haters really need to pull your heads out of your bibles and smell the coffee.
In case you haven't noticed, the world is moving on and leaving you behind.
Posted by: ComeAsYouAre | May 5, 2009 7:05 PM
Marion Barry is a Councilman in DC?? WTH??? Oh, yeah and I'm glad to hear about this human rights affirming vote.
Posted by: Dory | May 5, 2009 7:05 PM
It is PURE bigotry to deny same-sex couples the right to a civil marriage. Church marriages are one thing – let the church dictate their terms - but we the people need to recognize that fact that civil marriage needs to be offered to all people, regardless of their leanings.
Posted by: Carol Waters | May 5, 2009 8:36 PM
Next up - the polygamists
Posted by: Terry | May 5, 2009 9:20 PM
Isn't it nice that Barry tries to make up for one big screw up with another? Nice vote, cokehead. Put the straw down and get with the 21st century. Bummer it has to be approved by Congress now because it is DC. Possible now that the Rethugs are finally a minority.
Posted by: timmmahhhh | May 5, 2009 11:19 PM
Next up - the polygamists
Posted by: Terry | May 5, 2009 9:20 PM
Terry is right. We must end this slippery slope. There is only one solution: Ban state sanctioned marriage entirely. If the greedy selfish heterosexuals weren't intent on making themselves a privledged class, and getting themselves all sorts of legal and tax advantages, this wouldn't be a problem at all. Let's tell those socialist heteros to stop picking everyone elses pocket. Hetero marriage is the problem. Get rid of that, and there is no longer any issue.
Posted by: End Marriage now | May 6, 2009 9:59 AM
End Marriage Now,
Careful - remember other limits their are on marriage - age of consent, marriage between realtives (although with gay marriage - is this limitation needed?)
Posted by: Terry | May 6, 2009 9:39 PM
Hey, finally some super intelligent people to fix the entire situation from terrorism to welfare.
Let's not vote anymore and have the Supreme Court or Congress ( forget Congress), and have them pick your Senator, Representative and every other position. Oh, I forgot the President and VP. Because that's your view of ignoring the Constitution, and allowing a few people making decisions for everyone.
Calif', twice voted against same sex marriage. The "People", and it was overturned the first time by 3 Judges.
I'll tell you what, "you give me the power/authority, and I will save you the angst of having to vote, and I will select every position the Govt' holds. Because that's what your saying.
Posted by: PG | May 7, 2009 12:29 PM
so what next if people fall inlove with babies/animals/or how bout monogamy.. we shouldn't give the govt. shouldn't have to recognize and make their immoral lifestyles a custom...you can be gay but marriage doesnt have to change cause now everyone is gay. the people should vote and america is founded on better values than that.. the govt shouldn't have to recognize and leaglize immorality. God gave us free will but doens't meant we legalize everything that complicates things for others and their beliefs. so what next if someone is born thinking they a killer we should leaglize that too what is the world coming to!
Posted by: hmmm | May 26, 2009 7:40 PM