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DC council votes to recognize same-sex marriages performed elsewhere

By Bernard Hibbitts (editor) and University of Pittsburgh School of Law students.

[JURIST] The Council of the District of Columbia voted Tuesday to recognize same-sex marriages performed outside of Washington, DC. The bill, proposed by DC Councilman Phil Mendelson, was approved by a 12-0 vote. A number of council members applauded the vote, citing its historic nature, and hinting at forthcoming legislation that would allow same-sex marriages to be performed in DC. Gay and lesbian rights group the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) applauded the council's vote, calling it, "another positive step toward equality." There will be a final vote on the proposed legislation next month, and then the measure must be approved by the mayor and then by Congress under the Home Rule Act. The DC Council's vote comes on the same day that the Vermont Legislature voted to legalize same-sex marriage. While Washington, DC will now recognize out-of-state same-sex marriages, Vermont becomes the fourth state to legalize same-sex marriage, joining Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Iowa, and the first state to do so through a vote of the legislature. California had allowed same-sex marriages until November 2008, when Proposition 8 passed 52-48. Vermont became the first state to offer civil unions to same-sex couples when then-Governor Howard Dean signed H.B.847 into law in April 2000.

Full post as published by JURIST - The Paper Chase on April 08, 2009 (boomark / email).