DYM SUM

Earlier this year, and despite a storm of opposition from religious leaders and conservatives, the District of Columbia voted to recognize same-sex marriages performed elsewhere. Around that time, City Councilor David Catania (pictured, left) vowed that he would introduce legislation later in the year to bring marriage equality to the District.

That day has finally arrived.

Last night, Catania announced to an audience of 150 gay rights activists that the long-awaited legislation would be introduced at the next City Council meeting on Tuesday, October 6. The bill would change the city’s Code to allow two eligible individuals of any gender to be married, yet would still provide protection to any religious organization that refuses to perform those ceremonies. Ten of the 13 Council members are co-sponsoring the bill, which is expected to easily pass around Thanksgiving, and Mayor Adrian Fenty, a long-time supporter, will sign the bill.

As you may remember with previous legislation that recognized same-sex marriage, a bill approved by the Council and signed by the Mayor doesn’t immediately become law; there is a 30-day period where Congress is allowed to disapprove the law. Should they enact a joint resolution between the two houses of Congress, and the President signs it, then the bill dies. If Congress does nothing within that 30-day period, then the bill can become a law. (See the D.C. City Council website for more information.)

Whether or not Congress will combat this new law remains to be seen. Earlier this year, there were a couple of disorganized attempts to reject the District’s law that would recognize same-sex marriages performed elsewhere. This could certainly happen again, once the Council passes their marriage equality bill, but it is unlikely – given the present Democratic majority in both houses of Congress, not to mention their leadership and the general belief that marriage laws are up to states and other jurisdictions to decide for themselves – that any joint resolution of this type would find approval. That said, it appears likely that same-sex marriage will be legalized in the District before the end of January, 2010.