How to Get Hitched in D.C. - Now for Same-Sex Couples Too!

The long-awaited day is finally upon us - this Wednesday, Washington D.C's marriage equality law takes effect and the courthouse will throw open its doors for same-sex couples to apply for marriage licenses!

The city's GLBT Affairs office has posted some really helpful information about the process here: http://lgbt.dc.gov/lgbt/cwp/view,a,3,q,554354,lgbtNav,|32273|.asp

In a beautifully understated move revealing the simple equality now recognized for all couples and families in the District of Columbia, the D.C. Superior Court Marriage Bureau directs same-sex couples to the same info page for all couples wishing to wed: http://www.dccourts.gov/dccourts/superior/family/marriage.jsp

If you are going to be among the happy couples on Wednesday claiming this right, I encourage you to take photos and send them to info@dcformarriage.org to share your experience with others! And for all the marriages about to take place in the wake of this historic law taking effect, we wish you the purest matrimonial bliss and peace with your loved ones.

Celebrate the End of the Congressional Countdown

Please join Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton as for a reception celebrating the end of the Congressional Countdown for the Enactment of the Religious Freedom and Civil Rights Equality Amendment Act.

With music from the Gay Men's Chorus and words from District Officials and organizations who championed a Marriage Equality Law for the District of Columbia.

This event takes place Tuesday March 2nd in Room 2167 of the Rayburn House Office Building,  50 Independence Avenue Southwest, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

  

Celebrate your Love: Celebrate Marriage Equality

Show your support for the DC Center by purchasing these beautiful Valentines Day cards, designed by Keshini Ladduwahetty exclusively for the DC Center.

These cards can be purchased at the DC Center during our normal operating hours for $3.00 each. Or if you prefer, follow the links below to purchase online for $3.00 plus $1.00 shipping and handling.

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE YOUR CARD NOW

The DC Center is a place where concerned community members can come together and improve the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender residents of the District. DC for Marriage, GLOV, the HIV Working Group, and the DC Crystal Meth Working Group are all examples of exactly that.

Your support of the DC Center makes this work possible. Continue that support by ordering these cards online today, or becoming a monthly supporter of the DC Center.

Citizens cheer as D.C. Council passes same-sex marriage law

On Tuesday December 15, D.C. City Council voted in a massive landslide (11 to 2) to adopt a full marriage equality law, for the first time extending civil marriage recognition to same-sex couples. The only two Council Members dissenting were Yvette Alexander (D-Ward 7) and Marion Barry (D-Ward 8). Mayor Adrian Fenty has pledged to sign the bill, after which point Congress will have 30 legislative days to review the new law before it goes into effect.

While civil rights advocates cheered yesterday's landmark recognition of equal rights for gay and lesbian citizens in the nation's capital, out-of-town opponents of marriage equality (such as the misnamed National Organization for Marriage) quickly escalated their demands that Congress abuse the District by intervening to prevent the democratically-adopted law from taking effect. In addition, Beltsville, MD pastor Harry Jackson vowed to file additional legal challenges in an effort to overturn the newly voted law.

Marriage equality advocates are being encouraged to rally to the support of D.C.'s Congressional delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, who stated yesterday that "It's the district's business... It's the right thing to do, and it's my job to make sure Congress does nothing."

Also, D.C. residents are encouraged to send their Council Members a message of support for their vote in favor of the new civil marriage equality law. Council Member David Catania (I-At Large) deserves special recognition as the principal architect and long-time proponent of this major evolution in D.C.'s recognition of equal rights for all of its citizens. But for the record, let us recognize here all of our elected Council Members and our Mayor who will go down on the right side of history for voting in favor of marriage equality for gays and lesbians.

David A. Catania, Councilmember (At-Large)
Phil Mendelson, Councilmember (At-Large)
Vincent C. Gray, Council Chairman
Kwame R. Brown, Councilmember (At-Large)
Michael A. Brown, Councilmember (At-Large)
Jim Graham, Councilmember (Ward 1)
Jack Evans, Councilmember (Ward 2)
Mary M. Cheh, Councilmember (Ward 3)
Muriel Bowser, Councilmember (Ward 4)
Harry Thomas, Jr., Councilmember (Ward 5)
Tommy Wells, Councilmember (Ward 6)

Marriage equality bill clears committee, heading toward full Council vote

On Tuesday, the Committee on Public Safety and the Judiciary, chaired by Council Member Phil Mendelson (D-At Large), approved marriage equality legislation by a vote of 4 to 1. The lone dissent came from Yvette Alexander (D-Ward 7). The bill now proceeds to consideration by the full Council, with a vote expected in the first week of December. With every Council Member except Alexander and Marion Barry (D-Ward 8) having signed on as co-sponsors, the bill is expected to secure Council passage and Mayor Fenty has pledged to sign it.

However, as District residents are well aware, the bill must then undergo a review period of 30 legislative days of Congress before it can become law. That is why all marriage equality supporters must continue to reach out into and beyond their communities, tell their stories, and make the case that marriage is a civil right and should be available to LGBT families as well.

Proposed marriage equality legislation triggers marriage proposal in Council chambers

In the last two weeks, over 250 citizens have testified, overwhelmingly in favor, for the Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Equality Amendment Act of 2009 in front of the DC City Council. Amidst emotional proceedings that lasted for several hours over two legislative sessions, one witness, a Mr. Andrew Hertzberg, crystallized the bill's core purpose with his impassioned address to his boyfriend Andy Rollman:

"Andy, you've changed my life. You bring out the best in me. I love you so much. On this day when we talk about the hopes of marriage, I'd like to ask you: Will you marry me?"

Local religious leaders offer support for same-sex marriage bill at DC Council hearing

As DC City Council considers legislation introduced by David Catania (I-At Large) to extend marriage rights to same-sex couples, religious leaders representing multiple faiths in all 8 wards banded together last Friday to voice strong support for the proposed law. The event took place at the historic Asbury United Methodist Church, whose Rev. Louis Shockley proclaimed that "this congregation has always stood on the side of justice."

One of the equality coalition's founding members, the Rev. Christine Y. Wiley of the Covenant Baptist Church, shared her view that "as African Americans who have been discriminated against... we don't have the right to discriminate against anyone else."

Rabbi Jessica Oleon of Temple Sinai applied to the LGBT community the teachings expressed in the Talmud that "a person who does not have a spouse lives without joy, without blessing, without goodness... without wisdom and without moral protection... and they are also without peace. And none of us children of God have the right to deny those things to any other person."