DC Council Recognizes Other States' Gay Marriages

Washington, DC’s city council voted 12-1 today to recognize gay marriages from other states, the Post reports. The vote was initially unanimous without debate, but member (and former mayor) Marion Barry asked for a re-vote, saying he hadn’t initially understood what he was voting on. Another member said unless Congress steps in, he’ll soon introduce another bill to allow gay marriages to be performed in the capital.

Demonstrators led by ministers quickly protested the decision, calling for supporters to be dumped from the council. Lone dissenter Barry said he’s “a friend of (the gay) community” but decided, after “agonizing,” to side with the “ministers who stand on the moral compass of God.” Now the measure heads to the desk of the mayor, who supports gay marriage. (More gay marriage stories.)