Kwame Brown Supports Marriage Equality for the District of Columbia

At a recent meeting of the Gertrude Stein Democrats, city council member Kwame Brown stated he supports equal civil-marriage rights for same-sex couples in the District of Columbia. Brown had previously only supported civil unions, as stated in a 2004 candidate survey.

Brown joins nine other city council members who have stated their support for marriage equality. They are: Vincent Gray (D-At-Large), Phil Mendelson (D-At-Large), David Catania (I-At-Large), Jim Graham (D-Ward 1), Jack Evans (D-Ward 2), Mary Cheh (D-Ward 3), Muriel Bowser (D-Ward 4), Harry Thomas Jr. (D-Ward 5) and Tommy Wells (D-Ward 6).

The Washington Blade covered the story:

Washington City Councilmember Kwame Brown (D-At-Large) told members of the Gertrude Stein Democratic Club Monday that he would “definitely” vote for a bill to legalize same-sex marriage in the District of Columbia if such a bill comes up for a vote. Brown’s comments supporting a same-sex marriage bill marked a change from the position he took during his 2004 election campaign. At that time, he stated in a Gay & Lesbian Activists Alliance candidate questionnaire, “My deeply [held] religious beliefs lead me to personally believe that marriage should be defined as between a man and a woman.” Brown elaborated in the questionnaire that, as a Councilmember, he would fight for the legal rights of all residents, “regardless of sexual orientation,” but stopped short of backing a gay marriage bill. Brown, who is running for re-election in 2008, said he remains “uncomfortable” with same-sex marriage on personal and religious grounds. But he said, “If it came up today, I would vote for it. That’s where I am today.” Brown becomes the 10th member of the 13-member D.C. Council to join Mayor Adrian Fenty (D) in pledging to vote for a same-sex marriage bill. Fenty and nearly all Councilmembers have said they agree with many gay activists that the city should not pass a gay marriage bill any time soon because it would likely be overturned by Congress and it could prompt Congress to pass a law permanently banning same-sex marriage in the city.