Elections Board Rejects D.C. Gay Marriage Initiative
In a wholly expected move, the Board of Elections and Ethics today released a decision rejecting a proposed ballot measure that aims to prohibit same-sex marriages.
The initiative, sponsored by a group including Bishop Harry Jackson, the Rev. Walter E. Fauntroy, ANC member Bob King, and others, would establish that "only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in the District of Columbia."
The rationale for the board's decision, according to a press release, is such: "Under current law, the District recognizes as valid same-sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions. The Board concludes that that Marriage Initiative of 2009 would, if passed, strip same-sex couples who have entered into such marriages of rights afforded to them by that recognition." And that would authorize discrimination prohibited under the District of Columbia Human Rights Act.
Hence, no vote. You can read the board's decision in full [PDF]. The initiative's sponsors can appeal to the D.C. Superior Court (which rejected an earlier attempt at a gay marriage referendum), and on to the D.C. Court of Appeals.
Says board chair Errol Arthur in a statement: "We have considered all of the testimony presented to the Board and understand the desire to place this question on the ballot....However, the laws of the District of Columbia preclude us from allowing this initiative to move forward."
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9:49 am
When will this idiots figure out that government is secular or at least should attempt to be? You shouldn't define a law based on your religious or personal preference.
I don't see why they are so obsessed with the idea of two people of the same sex getting married. If the preservation of the sanctity of marriage is of utmost important, they should instead focus on the absurd level of divorce we have in this country. And if we want to make it a local issue, why not promote marriage in the black community. I've been to sermons at Mt. Airy and a few times at St. Matthews, never ever, have I heard the good pastors promote marriage between a man and woman. I grew up in the projects and the majority of my neighbors were single mothers who had deadbeat fathers for their kids. Do something about that shit first before you knock someone else for wanting to engage in a loving, loyal, union.