DC Court Rules No Right of Initiative on Marriage

Thomas Messner / July 15, 2010

In May 2009 the District of Columbia City Council passed legislation to recognize same-sex marriages performed outside the city. When Councilmember Marion Barry opposed that legislation, fellow councilmember David Catania called Barry’s position “bigoted.”

Today the D.C. Court of Appeals, which is the District’s version of a state supreme court, endorsed the idea that support for marriage as the union of husband and wife is a form of bigotry and discrimination.

In an opinion issued this morning, the D.C. Court of appeals rejected an appeal brought by Bishop Harry Jackson and others that sought to recognize the right of D.C. voters to vote on marriage. (more…)