Comments on: Norton: I Can Protect Same-Sex Marriage Bill

By: Reid

Reid — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 17:46:31 +0000

"The third HUGE obstacle is a voter referenda. Any legislation can be undone by a single majority vote of voters." DC's referendum law is tough. You need to get at least 5% of voters to sign the petition from at least 5 different Wards. Getting 5% of all voters of either Wards 1, 2, 3 or 6 would be a tall order. And that's assuming you get 5% from 4, 5, 7, and 8. Remember, Ward 9 has no vote except when it comes to double-parking and vacancy tax rates.

By: DCGay

DCGay — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 22:11:22 +0000

Don't forget the city voters passed a referendum on Council Term limits and the Council overturned it.
The city voted for medical marijuana referendum and Congress overturned it.
I'm not worried about a referendum.

By: Mike DeBonis

Mike DeBonis — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 21:18:50 +0000

LL is with Karen.

On the ballot measure issue, may LL direct your attention to D.C. Code §1-1001.16(b)(1): "Upon receipt of each proposed initiative or referendum measure, the [Board of Elections and Ethics] shall refuse to accept the measure if the Board finds that it is not a proper subject of initiative or referendum...upon any of the following grounds:...(C) The measure authorizes, or would have the effect of authorizing, discrimination prohibited under Chapter 14 of Title 2."

§2-14 is the District's human rights statute, under which discrimination under "sexual orientation" is prohibited.

Just a thought.

By: Cameron Brown

Cameron Brown — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 20:54:03 +0000

I may be a highschool student, but having read this article is starting to make me think that mabe our law system is faulty.

all it takes is a few swaying words, a few slick-hearted sentences and this bill goes down, plus, the bullying tactic...why in the world would an organization need that? as a personal belief, gays should have the right to marry. if two people love each other that really should be all thats needed for a healthy relationship. while not gay myself, i do support gay marriage.

By: Karen

Karen — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 20:40:57 +0000

I think people overestimate the number of religious, socially conservative (read old African-Americans) who would vote against the law. Recall that the law passed unanimously, and even Yvette Alexander (who represents the likely socially conservative group referred to) voted for it, even though she said she wouldn't. Everyone knows that in those Black churches, there is someone in the choir everyone knows is gay, but no one says anything. I think if the gay rights groups handle this well, putting real faces that look like DC (e.g., not just the Dupont Circle crowd, but East of the River gays; they do exist) to the issue, and considering the real people who could be affected by such laws, they could win it. Those older African Americans also have a deep sense of injustice that can be tapped, if approached correctly. Of course, if they suck as bad as the No on Prop 8 folks did in CA, then they do run the risk of a referendum overturning the law. But I have to assume that folks have learned from that fiasco and actually figured out the need and ability to court the Black community.

Also remember that a lot of the members of the big name churches in DC live in MD. That's why the congregations are moving out the Prince George's county in the first place. Their voices are muted.

By: SG

SG — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 20:06:48 +0000

Well, it's time. Let the chips fall where they may. If it fails, it will just show how absurd the current colonial domination of 600,000 residents truly is and what a sham American democracy has become.

By: homophobe_gets_smacked

homophobe_gets_smacked — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 19:55:59 +0000

Oh Gawd. Some people are dumb as a bag of rocks. Not every jurisdiction has an option for "voter referenda." For example, in Vermont, it is practically impossible now for the uneducated sheep to vote on the new law that was just passed. Same thing with the Iowa decision. Do your research before you yap.

By: Javier

Javier — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 19:15:53 +0000

The third HUGE obstacle is a voter referenda. Any legislation can be undone by a single majority vote of voters. Although the demographics of the city have changed, much of the population is very religious and socially conservative. I think gay marriage would have a hard time surviving a referenda for years to come.