Court refuses to stop DC's gay marriage law

[jefferson_dem]

Source: AP

By JESSE J. HOLLAND, Associated Press Writer

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

(03-02) 14:43 PST WASHINGTON, (AP) --

The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to block the District of Columbia's gay marriage law, freeing the city to issue its first marriage licenses to same-sex couples the following day.

Opponents of gay marriage in the nation's capital had asked Chief Justice John Roberts to stop the city from issuing the licenses on Wednesday while they appealed. They argued that D.C. voters should have been allowed to vote on the issue. Local courts have rejected the opponents' arguments.

"It has been the practice of the court to defer to the decisions of the courts of the District of Columbia on matters of exclusively local concern," said Roberts, writing for the court.

He also pointed out that Congress could have voted to stop the city government from putting the law into effect and didn't.

Opponents have also asked city courts to allow a voter referendum on gay marriage, and they "will have the right to challenge any adverse decision ... in this court at the appropriate time," Roberts said.


Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2010/03/02/national/w141348S95.DTL&type=printable

[Unvanguard]

1. Roberts' opinion left open at least the possibility of later review, though

since those opposed to equality are trying to address the issue through initiative, and could appeal then if the DC courts stop them.

[CatholicEdHead]

4. Yep, it sounds like it

Since the right wing of the Catholic Church is vocally opposed to it and would love the 5 right wing Catholic judges to vote with them (otherwise in their eyes they cannot be Catholic).

[Unvanguard]

8. I don't see them winning on the merits even if they try.

As Roberts' opinion said, there is a tradition of deference to DC courts, and if the Human Rights Act the challengers are trying to invalidate were actually contrary to Congress's intentions, Congress had the chance to veto it and has had the chance to remove it, and hasn't done so.

And even if they do win, it will just ensure that DC becomes the first place in the country to vote in favor of same-sex marriage.

[CatholicEdHead]

9. I hope so

but I am not a lawyer and that Corporation Spending ruling came out of nowhere. Who knows what they could come up with.

[Soylent Brice]

2. K&R and FUCK roberts.

that is all.

[AlbertCat]

5. I know! These seemingly rational decisions.... to be later struck down.

[scottsoperson]

3. karl rove supports the sanctity of marriage

of course, he just got divorced, i hear.

[IndianaGreen]

6. D.C. Gay Marriages To Start Tomorrow After Supreme Court Refuses To Block Law

The city has said Wednesday probably will be the first day same-sex couples can apply for marriage licenses. Couples still will have to wait three full business days for their licenses before exchanging vows.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/03/02/dc-gay-marriages-to-start_n_483129.html

Same story, but Huffington chose a different headline.

[underpants]

7. THAT is the change that Republicans hoped Obama would bring

;-)

[democracy1st]

10. Same-sex marriage becomes legal in DC

Source: Associated Press via Yahoo

WASHINGTON – Washington will be the sixth place in the nation where gay marriages can take place. Because of a mandatory waiting period, however, couples won't actually be able to marry in the District of Columbia until March 9. Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont currently issue licenses to same-sex couples.

The city's Moultrie courthouse, which houses the marriage bureau, is just blocks from the U.S. Capitol.

To deal with the crowd expected Wednesday, the marriage bureau will bring in temporary employees to help its regular staff, courthouse spokeswoman Leah Gurowitz said.

To prepare for Wednesday, the marriage bureau has changed its license applications so they are gender-neutral, asking for the name of each "spouse" rather than the "bride" and "groom." And at civil marriage ceremonies to be performed in the courthouse, a booklet for the official performing the marriage now reads, "I now pronounce you legally married" instead of "I now pronounce you man and wife."

A marriage license application costs $35, and the marriage license $10. Couples who are already registered as domestic partners in the city can convert their registration into a marriage license by paying the $10 fee.


The gay marriage law was introduced in the 13-member D.C. Council in October and had near-unanimous support from the beginning. The bill passed and D.C. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty signed it in December, but because Washington is a federal district, the law had to undergo a congressional review period that expired Tuesday.



Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100303/ap_on_re_us/us_dc_gay_marriage

[dipsydoodle]

11. You are so behind the times over there

Get with the program.

[Fearless]

12. To be fair, that's what most of us have been saying for a decade or more.

[dipsydoodle]

13. I'm straight but firmly believe in live and live.

Everything was sorted and tidied here, with respect to this subject in the UK , moons ago.

The subsequent spoiler has been solicitors running a scam to get illegals into the country with the purpose of them marrying another of the same sex in an effort to claim right to stay in the UK.

:hi:

[jefflrrp]

14. this

is good news.

[Soylent Brice]

15. K&R

[hippywife]

16. Congrats to all our GLBT friends

on another well won victory! Woot! :woohoo:


:* :loveya:

[lunatica]

17. I think this is great!

This is a right and worth celebrating!

[Mad_Dem_X]

18. Great news!

Only 45 more states to go! :)