D.C.'s Marriage Equality Battle Heads to Court

D.C.'s Board of Rules and Elections recently ruled that the city council's decision to recognize same-sex marriages performed elsewhere would not face a voter referendum.

Maryland's Bishop Jackson, who picked up resident and moved to the district just to oppose marriage equality, has now filed a lawsuit in court to force a referendum.

"We are not going to sit by and allow an unelected board of bureaucrats to deny voters their rightful say on this issue and, by their action, allow the institution of marriage and the entire structure of our society to be radically redefined," said Bishop Harry Jackson to the Washington Post.

"We will continue to fight for the people of the District of Columbia who want their voice to be heard in this important issue."

If neither the court nor Congress intervene, recognition of same-sex marriages performed elsewhere will become law in early July, and experts say congressional intervention is unlikely.

D.C. Council is expected to take up a separate proposal this year allowing same-sex marriages to be performed in the District.