HRC | Marriage Equality in Washington, D.C.

Marriage Equality in Washington, D.C.

7/15/2010

A new law permitting same-sex couples to wed in the District of Columbia took effect on March 3, 2010, with the first marriage ceremonies - including three at the Human Rights Campagn headquarters - taking place on March 9.

Foes of D.C. marriage equality have been seeking to put an initiative on the ballot to invalidate same-sex marriages entered into in the District. But the Court of Appeals ruled on July 15 that the D.C. Council had acted properly, pursuant to the Home Rule Act, when it passed the law requiring the rejection of any ballot initiative that would authorize prohibited discrimination under D.C.’s Human Rights Act. The court held unanimously that the proposed ballot initiative would have the effect of allowing such discrimination.

Opponents of marriage equality ultimately may make a desperate appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court or pressure Congress to act in the future. But for now, D.C. residents can take comfort in the fact that marriage equality is – and should remain – a reality in the District.