US House Republicans Attempt to Cut Off DC Marriage Progress with Legislation

Well, I have to give the crazy right-wingers one thing - they're persistent. Like a gnat that just won't go away. We make progress, they'll do anything to cut it off.

Now they're focusing on the marriage progress made in Washington DC and the district council's decision to recognize same-sex marriages performed legally in the states that allow it.

A Republican led group just couldn't wait until the DC resolution reached them for a vote (US Congress must approve DC measures, and they have until July to respond - if they don't, it becomes law). Instead, they introduced Thursday what is being termed the DC Defense of Marriage Act. I don't need to tell you that it defines marriage "traditionally" as one man, one woman.

The legislation is co-sponsored by U.S. Reps. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) and Dan Boren (D-Okla). In a statement Thursday, Jordan said "the family is truly the foundational institution of our nation, and marriage is its cornerstone."

Some say it will be an uphill battle to get it approved by both the House and the Senate and signed by President Barack Obama, but with Obama's lack of action so far, I'm not so sure. Plus, he supports civil unions, not marriage equality.

However, shortly after the DC council approved their measure, Nancy Pelosis did state, "Congress should not interfere with the internal decisions made by the District of Columbia's elected representatives — just as the Congress did not intervene in the State of New York's recognition of valid marriage contracts in other jurisdictions."

An item to note. Pam Spaulding of Pam's House Blend pointed out:

Former DC Mayor and current councilman Marion "The bitch set me up" Barry is obviously not in touch with the members of his Ward (8). When he showed up at the homobigot sideshow in DC with Bishop Harry Jackson, he stated that people in his Ward "are opposed to anything dealing with this issue. The ministers think it is a sin, and I have to be sensitive to that." Those residents just endorsed marriage equality last Saturday.

Just another sign of out of touch LGBT opponents are becoming with the rest of the nation. They should be embarrassed. Let's just hope they don't lie their way into victory on this one. It wouldn't be the first time.

Contact DC For Marriage to see how you can get involved.