Washington DC approves same-sex marriage law

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Netto Azure

Netto Azure

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http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8034601.stm

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A number of US states are considering laws to allow same-sex marriage​

Washington DC city council has voted to recognise same-sex marriages conducted in other US states.
Because Washington DC is not a state, the decision will now have to be approved by Congress before it can become law.
Four US states - Vermont, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Iowa - now permit gay marriage, and legislation to allow it is in progress in other states.
The resolution was passed in the council by 12 votes to one.
Council member David A Catania - one of two openly gay members of the body - explained his reasons for supporting the measure during the debate.
"This issue is whether or not our colleagues on a personal level view me and [Council member] Jim Graham as your equals," he said.
"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 you."
Fellow council member, and former Washington DC Mayor Marion Barry, was the only member to vote against the proposal.
"I understand this is personal to you and Mr Graham," he said in response to Mr Catania's remarks.
"I resent Mr Catania saying either you are a bigot or against bigotry as though this particular legislation represents all of that."
The law will be sent to DC Mayor Adrian Fenty - a supporter of gay marriage - for approval, before being placed before Congress.
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Anyways you guys know my position in this issue. :3
 
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Well, I'm very interested in seeing how the Congress votes on this. This could actually be a much bigger deal nationally than just DC approving this depending on how the Congressional vote goes.
 
this just shows the sign of the times. although we obviously still have a long way to go, tolerance and acceptance in this country has made great strides.

it's funny to hear the opinions of older people, especially older republicans...they sound foolish to me despite the fact that I believe everyone is entitled to their opinion. but that just reflects how times have changed.

i obviously support any two people who love each other getting married regardless of sexual orientation.
 
If this becomes official through congress, it'll be a huge step. For the capital to legalise gay marriage sends a huge message.
 
Said it before, saying it again.

Great day for gay rights, huge blow to Catholic Church.
 
So, I have a question. Should this get passed (which I fervently hope it does), what happens to the states who have either voted to make gay marriage illegal in the state (such as California) or a state who has simply not voted to make it legal in that state? Maybe I'm forgetting more of my Government class than I should be, but will this measure overturn the ones already set in place for the individual states, even the ones who have voted against it?
 
Edo-kun said:
So, I have a question. Should this get passed (which I fervently hope it does), what happens to the states who have either voted to make gay marriage illegal in the state (such as California) or a state who has simply not voted to make it legal in that state? Maybe I'm forgetting more of my Government class than I should be, but will this measure overturn the ones already set in place for the individual states, even the ones who have voted against it?
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Nah. it's just to allow The city of Washington D.C. to recognize Gay marriage licenses from other states. D:
 
I thought most Republicans were protestant, though.
 
They are.

In general, though, most Catholics I know think the church's stance on gay marriage is a shitload of BS... the Knights of Columbus (just a Catholic men's club really) are the ones really trumpeting the WE MUST PROTECT THE MARRIAGE thing.

Most Catholic bishops (the ones raising a stink over this) are in the K of C. You do the math.
 
I am just so glad about this. I don't care how many people have said this before, but two people deserve to be in love, regardless of gender. If only every state could do this...
 
Nekusagi said:
They are.

In general, though, most Catholics I know think the church's stance on gay marriage is a shitload of BS... the Knights of Columbus (just a Catholic men's club really) are the ones really trumpeting the WE MUST PROTECT THE MARRIAGE thing.

Most Catholic bishops (the ones raising a stink over this) are in the K of C. You do the math.
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Men's club, eh? Must be afraid their wives will imply to them that they should just get married to their buddies...
 
Knights of Columbus=Catholic Masons

(more or less.)
 
^In regard to any religious elements of marriage (which discussion has already touched upon on this thread), the entire notion that marriage is a religious ceremony is quite simply foolish. It transcends and predates religion, although it is incorporated in them.

I am pleased that the cogs are turning in this direction, although I don't see any particulair silver lining. Wedding planners and the like are going to be very pleased - this entire concept means more customers. I am glad that equality and equitability is so close as to say it is merely being fine-tuned, but then again, what is marriage? Just a ceremony. An expensive ceremony, that, 50% of the time in America, results in another social routine - divorce (which is also quite taxing). While I am all for equality, this is the cynical view that I hold.

The only difference for your average, marriage material homosexual is recognition by the state - Symbolic, but effectively meaningless. (Ok, perhaps there may be a small financial bonus, yet likely not enough to cover wedding costs).

In fact, though this issue has a very strong sentiment to it; that of freedom of rights, expression, equality - doesnt it seem strange that it gains so much focus? Shouldnt the public be thinking about ideas of greater bearing? Often I am amazed that issues based simply on definitons and thin air can recieve so much attention with all the terrible physical realites that exist. Isnt it sad? While the western world still sits in a playpen and tinkers with its own identity, people are starving, there is violence and unrest, and still some of us are wondering about the implications of Adam and Steve finally tying the knot.

Just my two cents. By the way, I'm Gay.
 
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Lucky Seven said:
In fact, though this issue has a very strong sentiment to it; that of freedom of rights, expression, equality - doesnt it seem strange that it gains so much focus? Shouldnt the public be thinking about ideas of greater bearing? Often I am amazed that issues based simply on definitons and thin air can recieve so much attention with all the terrible physical realites that exist. Isnt it sad? While the western world still sits in a playpen and tinkers with its own identity, people are starving, there is violence and unrest, and still some of us are wondering about the implications of Adam and Steve finally tying the knot.
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I agree with you wholeheartedly with this. It is sad that something so basic has to pieced apart when there are so much more dire issues at hand.

Hopefully this'll get some people to wake up about the issue, so we can stop squabbling over it.
 
Woohoo! All I have to say, it's very nice to see so many supportive people on this form.
 
cool. It's national law now right? Finally we can stop getting these stupid bills in Forensics.
 
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