Super Tuesday As Washington D.C. Recognizes Gay Marriages

The 13-member D.C. Council moved Tuesday to recognize the marriages of same-sex couples legally wed outside of the District.

The decision in our nation's capital comes on the same day as Vermont legislators voted in favor of same-sex marriage—a Tuesday two-for-one aerating a mushroom cloud of backlash from last year's Proposition 8.

"The vote by the members of the DC City Council to recognize marriages performed in other jurisdictions as marriages in DC is a positive step forward," said Michael Crawford, chair of DC for Marriage. "It recognizes that all people including LGBT people should receive the basic rights and responsibilities that come with marriage. This step forward will help to educate DC residents about why marriage is so important to same-sex families as it is to opposite-sex families."

New York began recognizing out-of-state same-sex marriages in May of last year, although same-sex marriage is not legal in the state.

And just last week, Iowa became the third US state to legalize same-sex unions.

Is the D.C. marriage decision final?
Not quite. The legislation will need final approval by the council at the end of the month and then it must be reviewed by big brother Congress before it can be signed into law. Democratic Mayor Adrian M. Fenty is not expected to challenge the legislation.

Does this mean gay marriage is legal in D.C.?
No. The legislation only applies to couples legally wed or in domestic partnerships outside of the District. However, couples can travel to Iowa, Massachusetts or Connecticut marry and then return to D.C. to take advantage of the full benefits of marriage.

Image © Mpasquini.