D.C. votes to recognize gay marriages

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By Gary Emerling

For a break-down of Tuesday's vote, click here.

The D.C. Council Tuesday gave final approval to legislation recognizing same-sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions and paved the way for an effort to allow such unions to be performed in the nation's capital - an effort one council member said could prompt "civil war" in the city.

A majority of the 13-member council likely would support gay marriages taking place in the District, a poll of council members and staffers by The Washington Times showed Tuesday. Six council members said they would vote for a gay-marriage bill, with two more saying they were likely to vote for such a bill. Five council members said they were undecided on the issue.

An overwhelming majority of 12 members voted Tuesday to recognize other states' gay marriages, although the legislation still faces congressional review.

"As much as people don't want to say it is, this was a vote on same-sex marriage" in the District, said Tommy Wells, Ward 6 Democrat.

D.C. Council member Marion Barry, who told reporters after the vote that approving gay marriage could lead to civil war, said later that he was "just jiving" when he made the comment. But he said the issue will be contentious in the District, with its majority black population.

"I think it's going to be divided along racial lines because the black community is so strongly against it," said Mr. Barry, Ward 8 Democrat. Socially conservative black voters played a key role in passing a November referendum in California that prohibited gay marriage in that state.

The divisiveness of the issue was evident in the council chamber, where the vote was greeted with applause by supporters. Opponents of the legislation also packed the room, and loudly pledged political retribution outside in the hallway for council members who voted in favor.

Council Chairman Vincent C. Gray suspended the session until order was restored by police officers and security guards, who kept a watchful eye as tensions escalated.

"Bottom line, they just kissed themselves goodbye," said the Rev. Anthony Evans, an associate minister at Mount Zion Baptist Church in Northwest.