The D.C. Council on Tuesday passed the Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Equality Act of 2009, which would allow gay marriage. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty has promised to sign the bill into law, which then would place the measure in the hands of Congress and President Obama.
Council member and former Mayor Marion Barry and fellow council member Yvette Alexander, both of whom represent majority-black political districts, voted against the legislation.
The majority of the voices quoted in the media were jubilant about the civil marriage aspect of the bill. Here are some that were not.
The Rev. Anthony Evans, an associate pastor of Mount Zion Baptist Church, said, “This is not a win today. … and we are going to stop it in every way we can.”
Bishop Harry Jackson of Stand for Marriage D.C., said, “Our day is going to come when the people get to vote on this. I think that’s what’s going to move people - outrage with a sense of urgency.”
The Catholic Archdiocese of Washington, which has said that legalizing gay marriage would prevent it from partnering with the city on such things as affordable housing and social services because the Catholic Church will not run contrary to faith, said, “The archdiocese advocated for a bill that would balance the council’s interest in redefining marriage with the need to protect religious freedom. Regrettably, the bill did not strike that balance.”
Businesswoman Kathy Pearson-West, who wants voters to decide the issue, said, “It is not over until God says it’s over.”
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