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.