Tuesday, April 7, 2009

D.C. To Legally Recognize Other States' Same-Sex Marriages

This was in the Washington Post today, as well as in an email from a friend:
The D.C. Council voted today to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states, on the same day that Vermont became the fourth state to legalize same-sex unions.

Domestic partnerships are already legal in the nation's capital. But today's vote, billed as an important milestone in gay rights, explicitly recognizes relocated gay married couples as married.

The initial vote was 12-0. The unanimous vote sets the stage for future debate on legalizing same-sex marriage in the District and a clash with Congress, which approves the city's laws under Home Rule. The council is expected to take a final vote on the legislation next month.

Iowa, Vermont, and now D.C. There really is no telling how far this will reach. As I mentioned to a coworker today, given all these remarkable gay rights victories, I almost feel a bit cheated with the domestic partnership bill in the Washington state legislature. But, as she said, "you've got to start somewhere," and we're doing just that.

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