Same-sex couples walk out of D.C. Superior Court after applying for marriage licenses in Washington on March 3, 2010. (UPI/Alexis C. Glenn)A D.C. appeals court on Thursday upheld the District of Columbia law allowing same-sex marriages, rejecting an effort by opponents to put the issue before city voters.
In a 5-4 decision, the D.C. Court of Appeals agreed with a D.C. Superior Court ruling and an earlier ruling by the city’s Board of Elections and Ethics that said a referendum on same-sex marriage would violate the city’s Human Rights Act.
“Because appellants’ proposed initiative would authorize, or have the effect of authorizing, discrimination on a basis prohibited by the Human Rights Act, it was not a proper subject of initiative. Therefore, the Board acted lawfully in refusing to accept the initiative on that basis. Accordingly, the judgment of the Superior Court upholding the Board’s determination is affirmed,” the court said in its 54-page decision.
The rejection by the full appeals court means that the only legal option left to opponents is an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.
The same-sex marriage law was passed by the D.C. Council in December and signed into law by Mayor Adrian M. Fenty in January. Same-sex marriages began taking place in the District in March.
© Copyright 2012 The Washington Times, LLC. Click here for reprint permission.
Matt Cella is The Washington Times’ Metro editor. He can be reached at mcella@washingtontimes.com.
By Jeffrey Anderson - The Washington Times
By David Sherfinski - The Washington Times
By David Sherfinski - The Washington Times
By Tom Howell Jr. - The Washington Times
By David Hill - The Washington Times
By Dr. Milton R. Wolf
Victory requires Mitt to complete his conversion
By Jeffrey Anderson - The Washington Times
Within weeks of an inspector general’s report that criticized a bid by the D.C. Lottery ...
By David Hood - The Washington Times
Their ranks have thinned over the past three years, but a renewed sense of optimism ...
By Nekesa Mumbi Moody - Associated Press
Adele, who captured the world’s heart with an album about a broken romance, emerged as ...
Independent voices from the TWT Communities
A mother of three and a passionate conservative, Shirley Husar changes the game with commentary on the political game ala California, U.S.A.
A slice of suburban family life from the diverse perspectives of a politically minded mom.
A wife, mother of three and world waterskiing champion looks at the world through the eyes of her faith.
From family to children, to life on our street and in our world, Lori shares her view of the world
CPAC 2012
26 Photos
CPAC opens in Washington
29 Photos
State of the District
8 Photos
Police raid Occupy D.C. camp
13 Photos
Potomac Phil makes stuffy debut
11 Photos
Romney wins Florida primary
8 Photos
Police stop Occupy D.C. sleepovers
13 Photos
Exiles want Republicans to free Cuba
21 Photos
