District of Columbia Mayor Adrian Fenton has today signed the Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Equality Amendment Act of 2009 in Washington, D.C. Pending conclusion of congressional review period, Washington, D.C. would join five states in recognizing marriage equality
Statement by the Human Rights Campaign and Joe Solmonese, HRC president
"This legislation is an important and historic step towards 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 earlier this week, and Mayor Fenty signed into law today, reinforces the legal equality and religious freedoms to which all D.C. residents are entitled. The day is not too far off when same-sex couples in D.C. will be able to enjoy all the rights and responsibilities that come with civil marriage," said HRC President Joe Solmonese.
On Tuesday, the D.C. Council voted today 11 to 2 to give final approval to the Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Equality Amendment Act of 2009. The vote recognizing same-sex marriage was the second in two weeks for the Council, which approved the bill in an initial vote on December 1, 2009 by the same margin. Since last July, D.C. law has recognized marriages by same-sex couples from other jurisdictions, including foreign countries. The new legislation would permit same-sex couples to marry in D.C. itself while ensuring that clergy and religious organizations would not be required to provide services, accommodations, facilities or goods for the solemnization of a same-sex marriage.
The law will take effect at the conclusion of a Congressional review period, which lasts for 30 legislative days following the Mayor's signature.
At this time, five states recognize marriage for same-sex couples under state law: Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont and New Hampshire ( effective January 1, 2010 ) . New York recognizes marriages by same-sex couples legally entered into in another jurisdiction. Five statesCalifornia, New Jersey, Oregon, Washington, and Nevadaplus D.C. provide same-sex couples with access to the state level benefits and responsibilities of marriage, through either civil unions or domestic partnerships.
Hawaii, Colorado, Maine, Maryland and Wisconsin provide same-sex couples with limited rights and benefits. California recognized marriage by same-sex couples between June and November of 2008, before a slim majority of voters approved Proposition 8, which purports to amend the state constitution to prohibit marriage equality. Couples married during that window remain married under California law, but all other same-sex couples can only receive a domestic partnership within the state. The state will recognize out of state same-sex marriages that occurred before November 5, 2008 as marriages and those that occurred on or after November 5, 2008 as domestic partnerships. The Prop. 8 vote has been challenged in federal court; a decision is not expected any time soon.
Same-sex couples do not receive federal rights and responsibilities anywhere in the United States. To learn more about state by state legislation, visit:www.hrc.org/state_laws.
The Human Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.
Statement of Jennifer Chrisler, Executive Director, Family Equality Council:
"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. 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. 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."
Because of the District's unique jurisdictional status, all bills passed by the Council and signed by the Mayor must go to Congress for a review period of thirty legislative days. While Congress is not expected to intervene and stop the legislation from becoming law, marriage equality advocates are currently working to fend off attempts to force a 2010 ballot initiative banning marriage equality in the District. The Family Equality Council is the leading national LGBT family advocacy organization and is proud to support the leadership of the Campaign for All DC Families to secure marriage equality in the District of Columbia.
Statement: Michael Crawford, C0-chair of D.C. for Marriage
"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. 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. 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. 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.
"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. 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. In a matter of months, the work of so many of D.C.'s residents will culminate in full equality for all."
For more information about DC for Marriage go to: dcformarriage.blogspot.com .
Statement: Reverend Robert Hardies
WASHINGTON, DC TODAY, the Reverend Robert Hardies, co-chair of DC Clergy United for Marriage Equality, Senior Pastor of All Souls Church, Unitarian in Columbia Heights, and Standing on the Side of Love spokesman issued the following statement celebrating DC Mayor Adrian Fenty's signing of legislation legalizing same-gender marriage in the District of Columbia into law.
The bill signing, which was hosted by Rev. Hardies and his congregation at All Souls Church, Unitarian, featured Fenty, along with DC religious, spiritual, political, and civil and gay rights leaders. Rev. Hardies also spoke at the event.
"The signing of this bill marks a watershed moment for human rights in the District of Columbia," said Rev. Hardies. "No longer will gay and lesbian couples be denied the fundamental right to marriage in our nation's capital."
"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."
"I applaud Mayor Fenty and the DC Council for standing on the side of love and ending discrimination against gay and lesbian Washingtonians."
Rev. Peter Morales, President of the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations, also issued the following statement:
"I applaud the new law that extends marriage rights to same-sex couples in Washington, D.C. This legislation will make a profound difference to many Washington families, and it will shine as a beacon of hope for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender citizens across the country.
I extend my admiration and gratitude to Mayor Fenty and the DC City Council members. When lawmakers step up to end discrimination and protect families, all Americans benefit. The overwhelming support for marriage equality by District leaders is heartening, especially following recent set-backs at state ballot boxes. I believe that justice ultimately will prevail as more civic leaders and private citizens come forward to stand proudly on the side of love."
Standing on the Side of Love is a campaign sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Association and promotes respect for the inherent worth and dignity of every person. We believe that no person of any immigrant status, race, religion, gender and sexual orientation, ability level, or political view should be dehumanized through acts of exclusion, oppression, or violence.
DC Clergy United for Marriage Equality is a coalition of nearly 200 religious leaders of many races, cultures, faiths, and from every Ward in the District of Columbia, who unite to affirm marriage equality for same-gender couples.