Same-Sex Marriage In Washington DC

A Summary of Gay Marriage in Washington DC

At the heart of the modern Gay Rights Movement is the fight for marriage equality. Across the globe, cities, states and entire nations are recognizing the rights of LGBT people to form families under the protection of the law. Here is where same-sex marriage stands in the District of Columbia:

• 12/19/09: Mayor Adrian M. Fenty signed the marriage bill into law. The legislation goes before Congress for a short review process.


• 12/15/09: In an 11 to 2 vote, the Washington D.C. Council gave final approval to the Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Equality Amendment Act of 2009, legalizing same-sex marriage in the district... read more


• 6/15/09: The D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics rejected an effort to hold a referendum on whether Washington should recognize same-sex marriages performed elsewhere. The move is a victory for gay rights advocates. If Congress, which has final say over laws approved in Washington D.C., doesn't weigh in on the city council vote in favor of same-sex marriages granted outside of the District by July of 2009 the measure will become law.



• 4/7/09: The 13-member D.C. Council moved to recognize the marriages of same-sex couples legally wed outside of the District. The decision in our nation's capital came on the same day as Vermont legislators voted in favor of same-sex marriage.


"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."


• Which states allow gay marriage? Explore same-sex marriage laws by region.