Mayor Adrian M. Fenty on Friday signed a bill to legalize same-sex marriage in the District, equating the hurdles confronting gay couples to those his parents faced when they married four decades ago as an interracial couple.
With his parents and D.C. Council members looking on, Fenty (D) signed multiple copies of the bill in the sanctuary of All Souls Unitarian church in Mount Pleasant -- a location he said he selected as representative of the many churches that embrace gay rights.
Fenty and other city officials said they want the District to provide a road map for gay rights activists as the debate over same-sex marriage -- now legal in only a handful of states -- moves across the nation, including possibly to Maryland.
"Marriage inequality is a civil rights, political, social, moral and religious issue in this country and many nations," Fenty said. "And as a I sign this act into law, the District, from this day forward, will set the tone for other jurisdictions to follow in creating an open and inclusive city." Read complete article - By Tim Craig, Nikita Stewart and Michelle Boorstein - Washington Post
Related links:
Mayor Signs Bill Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage in D.C. - by Emily Dean, 12/18/2009 – shewired.com
Recognizing gay marriages is common sense – 12/19/09 – Baltimore Sun
D.C. marriage bill moves to the Hill – 12/18/09 – Windy City Times
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