Washington Finally Legalizes Gay Marriage

Gay marriage made legal in the nation's capital with the legal union of a lesbian couple who had been together for 12 years. Same-sex marriage seems to be a controversial hot button issue for most folks these days, especially Americans. Washington D.C. joins New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Iowa, and Connecticut as the only states in the U.S. that have legalized same-sex marriages. Other states that stipulate "broadened" definitions of same-sex unions and allow couples to obtain some sort of legal recognition for their relationships are Hawaii, California, Maine, Washington state, Nevada, New Jersey, and Oregon.

Among yellow roses, white wedding cake, and champagne, Rev. Dwayne Johnson of the Metropolitan Community Church of Washington stated, "Today the love that you have recognized all along is recognized by the District of Columbia." In the civil ceremony held at the downtown headquarters of the Human Rights Campaign, along with two other gay couples, Rev. Johnson declared Candy Holmes and Darlene Garner as "legally married." City Council members David Cantania and Jim Graham, who are both gay, also attended the services.

Same-sex couples were first allowed to apply for a marriage license as early as March 3, but had to comply with the city's three-day waiting period before getting married. The Mayor Adrian Fenty was in attendance and congratulated the newlywed couples after the ceremonies. In December, Fenty signed legislation to legalize same-sex marriage in Washington D.C. Fifteen couples arrived at the D.C. Superior Courthouse Tuesday morning to pick up marriage licenses.

Many gay couples apparently crossed the border into Washington from Maryland in order to join other same-sex couples living in D.C. because of the recent legal opinion issued by Maryland Attorney General Doug Gansler. This legal opinion orders all Maryland state government agencies to recognize same-sex marriages which had been performed outside of the state, giving hope to other Maryland gay couples. Until the courts or state legislature takes action, this legal opinion stands. Gay rights activists say that Maryland's legislature is just not ready to legalize gay marriage outright, even though they believe they have the votes in the House Juduciary Committee, and on the floor. The only thing standing in the way is other more conservative groups in the legislature.

Apparently the only protester was a woman who had been standing in line with the fifteen couples for a time and then began to yell that God will not recognize same-sex marriages. U.S. Security Marshals who had been stationed at the courthouse, escorted the protesting woman from the premises.