March 3, 2010
States allowing same-sex marriage/civil unions
DC City Council passed the “Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Equality Amendment Act of 2009″ on December 15th and on the 18th, Mayor Adrian Fenty signed it. Judge Judith Macaluso affirmed the DC Board of Elections and Ethics decisions that a referendum on same-sex marriage would violate the Human Rights Act. Congress failed to act within the 30 days it is allotted (March 2). And Chief Justice Roberts declined to get involved:
It has been the practice of the Court to defer to the decisions of the courts of the District of Columbia on matters of exclusively local concern.
So, as of today, same-gender marriage is legal in DC.
151 gender neutral licenses were applied for. Takes 3 business days to process them, so Tuesday, March 9th will be the soonest folks can officially get married.
DC becomes the seventh place to make same-sex marriage legal behind Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont and New Hampshire. Maine’s was defeated by referendum on 11/3/09.
Maryland will recognize same-sex unions performed elsewhere until the state legislature or courts decide otherwise.
Republicans being blamed for “allowing” same-sex marriage bill to pass.
