DC Counvil Votes to Recognize Other States' Same-Sex Marriages

The Nation's Capital has become a symbol of hope for many Americans since the inauguration of President Obama, and that hope has started to become a more tangible reality for the GLBT community with today's passage by the city council of a bill that will recognize same-sex marriages legally performed in other states. Mayor Fenty is expected to sign the bill into law.

Ironically, the lone dissenting vote was former mayor (and felon) Marion Barry, long a supporter of the District's GLBT community but who has undergone a recent public transformation into a champion of traditional marriage (despite issues with that in his own life).

Here's an excerpt from the Washington Post report:

Council member David A. Catania (I-At Large), one of two openly gay members of the council, appeared to take a swipe at Barry over his stance.

"This issue is whether or not our colleagues on a personal level view me and [council member] Jim Graham as your equals," Catania said, referring to the other openly gay member of the council. "If we are permitted the same rights and responsibilities and obligations as our colleagues. So this is personal. This is acknowledging our families as much as we acknowledge yours."

If Congress does not try to block the bill to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states, Catania has said he will introduce a separate bill later this year to allow same-sex marriages to be conducted in the District.

Barry predicted today there could be a "civil war" in the District if the Council decides to take up a broader gay marriage bill later this year.

"All hell is going to break lose," Barry said while speaking to reporters. "We may have a civil war. The black community is just adamant against this."

Stay tuned. Click here to read the rest of the Post's report.