D.C. takes gay-marriage step
It would recognize same-sex weddings performed elsewhere. Congress has final say.
WASHINGTON - The city council in the nation's capital voted yesterday to recognize same-sex marriages from states that approve them - a step that could propel the emotional issue into Congress and draw Democrats into a culture-wars battle with one another.
President Obama and Democratic leaders responded to the 12-1 vote by the District of Columbia Council with near-silence - hoping to avoid aggravating Democratic factions already at odds over that issue and more.
Republicans, usually willing to exploit differences among Democrats, also barely reacted to the council's action. GOP leaders and their aides, asked whether anyone would try to use it as a wedge issue, said they were preoccupied by matters such as the economy and swine flu.
But they have time.
The city council vote is considered the first step toward eventually allowing same-sex marriages to be performed in Washington. Congress, which has final say over the city's laws, has 30 days to review the bill, assuming that Democratic Mayor Adrian Fenty, a supporter, signs it.
If Congress takes no action, the bill will become law automatically.
The White House declined to comment on the council's vote, repeating Obama's general support for civil unions and belief that marriage is between a man and a woman.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.) said through a spokesman that Congress should not interfere in the D.C. government decision.
Rep. Barney Frank (D., Mass.), who is gay, said he expected congressional opponents of same-sex marriage to rally to repeal the city's decision but doubted they would get far.
"For this to be overturned, it'd have to pass both houses and be signed by the president, and that's highly unlikely," Frank said.
Vermont, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Iowa allow same-sex marriage, and lawmakers in several other states are considering whether to do the same. The Maine House approved a same-sex-marriage bill yesterday and sent it back to the state Senate, where it is expected to be taken up today.
New York recognizes same-sex marriages performed in other states.
Former Washington Mayor Marion Barry cast the lone council vote yesterday against recognizing same-sex marriages. He called it an "agonizing and difficult decision" that he made after praying and consulting with his constituents and the religious community.
Supporters of same-sex marriage greeted the vote with applause, but they were outnumbered at city hall by outraged opponents, including many black ministers.
The majority-black district is overwhelmingly Democratic, but exit polls in California indicated that about seven in 10 black voters there weighed in against same-sex marriage in a November vote.
The Rev. Anthony Evans, a pastor at Mount Zion Baptist Church, said he would work to have the measure killed in Congress - and to unseat every D.C. council member who voted for it.
"They just kissed their political careers goodbye," he said.
The District of Columbia already recognizes domestic partnerships, but supporters of same-sex marriage say that's not enough.
"It's an equality issue," said Sara Mindel, who has been with her partner for nine years and has a 10-month-old son. "In my mind, marriage, although it's a wonderful religious ceremony, ultimately gives you so many important states' rights and legal rights."
