The District of Columbia Council voted 11–2 — despite vocal protests from a coalition of conservative evangelicals and the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington — to legalize same-sex “marriage” in the nation’s capital Dec. 15.
The bill, called the Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Equality Amendment Act of 2009, was co-sponsored by 10 members of the District of Columbia Council, including its two openly gay members. One other council member lent his support just before the first of a two-part vote on the bill Dec. 1.
Mayor Adrian Fenty has said he will sign the measure. Congress has a 30-day period in which to review the bill after it becomes law.
The bill contains language making explicit protections for churches and religious organizations that gay rights advocates say are already provided by the First Amendment. One section says houses of worship or other organizations operated by or affiliated with religious groups “shall not be required to provide services, accommodations, facilities or goods for a purpose related to the solemnization or celebration of a marriage, or the promotion of marriage, that is in violation of the entity’s religious beliefs, unless the entity makes such services, accommodations or goods available for purchase, rental or use to members of the general public.”
Officials from the Archdiocese of Washington unsuccessfully argued for stronger language protecting religious organizations that provide social services with city funds. One of the district’s largest social-service providers, the archdiocese has taken the position that the gay “marriage” bill could require it to provide spousal benefits to the same-sex spouses of employees who work for churches or local Catholic charities.
If nothing changes with the mayor and/or after Congress’ review of the bill, then the District of Columbia will join Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut and Iowa as the only jurisdictions in the United States with legal same-sex “marriage.” Gay “marriage” was legalized by the California Supreme Court and the Maine Legislature, but popular votes in both of those states overruled the actions. Gay “marriage” opponents in Washington attempted to get an initiative to ban same-sex “marriage” on the ballot in the district, but District of Columbia officials said the city’s Human Rights Act bars popular referendums on basic civil rights. (ABP, BP)
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