Today the DC Board of Elections and Ethics ruled that the proposed referendum on the DC marriage recognition legislation, "The Jury and Marriage Amendment Act of 2009", was not a proper subject for referendum. Read WaPo Article

Under District elections law, a referendum cannot appear on the ballot if it violates the city's Human Rights Act. The act, approved in 1977, prohibits discrimination against gays and lesbians and other minority groups.

"To the extent that the proposed referendum would suspend the Council's action to recognize lawful foreign same-sex marriages on the same terms as lawful foreign heterosexual marriages, the proposed measure would run counter to the letter and spirit of the" Human Rights Act, Attorney General Peter Nickles argued to the elections board in written testimony last week.

"This is a major step towards progress in our local campaign for marriage equality. In ruling based upon what is clearly outlined in DC law, the DC Board of Elections and Ethics reaffirmed our committment to protecting the rights of all citizens here in the District of Columbia", Jeffrey Richardson, President of the Gertrude Stein Democratic Club.

Yesterday Bishop Harry Jackson, other members of the clergy, and opponents of equality, under the organizational title Stand 4 Marriage D. C., filed paperwork with the Board of Elections and Ethics requesting to begin the process of collecting signatures for a citywide referrendum on the DC same gender marriage recognition law the Council of the District of Columbia passed earlier this month, that is slated to become law in July. Read WaPo Article

This comes as no surprise, as we know that our opponents will seek every opportunity to try to slow down the wheels of progress that is moving across our great country.

The Gertrude Stein Democratic Club is committed to joining our allies in standing for equality in the District of Columbia. While we know DC residents are overwhelmingly fair minded and support equality, we still have a long road to travel and will need your active support.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Contact: Jeffrey Richardson, President (202) 491-9517, cell
president@steindemocrats.org

Washington, DC - Today, Harry Jackson, chairman, High Impact Leadership Coalition, and senior pastor, Hope Christian Church, joined Republican members of congress, Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, Rep. Tom Price, R-Ga., Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, Rep. Joe Pitts, R-Pa, Rep. John Fleming, R-La., on Capitol Hill to call on congress to enact legislation to oppose DC marriage recognition legislation and potentially define marriage in the District of Columbia as being between a man and a woman.

The Gertrude Stein Democratic Club issued the following statement:
"The residents of the District of Columbia are accustomed to some members of congress using the District as a political playground to earn points back in their home districts. But today, it is Bishop Harry Jackson and other DC, and metro DC, based clergy who participated in today's press conference, that have shown total disrespect for District residents' historical struggle for self-determination.

"Today Bishop Jackson has shown that he does not stand with and for the people of the District of Columbia, but I have confidence that District residents will continue to fight for our self-determination and equality for every resident of this great city", Jeffrey Richardson, President of the Gertrude Stein Democratic Club.

Today the City Council voted 12 to 1 to recognize same sex marriages from other jurisdictions.

"The Gertrude Stein Democratic Club thanks Council Chair Vincent Gray and the entire city council for taking a stand for equality in the District of Columbia.

 We still have a long road to travel, but today will stand as a bright and shining moment in the history of our local fight for equality." - Jeffrey Richardson

Continue to be apart of the conversation on May 13th at All Souls Church

visit DC for Marriage on Facebook 

Today the DC Board of Elections and Ethics ruled that the proposed referendum on the DC marriage recognition legislation, "The Jury and Marriage Amendment Act of 2009", was not a proper subject for referendum. Read WaPo Article

Under District elections law, a referendum cannot appear on the ballot if it violates the city's Human Rights Act. The act, approved in 1977, prohibits discrimination against gays and lesbians and other minority groups.

"To the extent that the proposed referendum would suspend the Council's action to recognize lawful foreign same-sex marriages on the same terms as lawful foreign heterosexual marriages, the proposed measure would run counter to the letter and spirit of the" Human Rights Act, Attorney General Peter Nickles argued to the elections board in written testimony last week.

"This is a major step towards progress in our local campaign for marriage equality. In ruling based upon what is clearly outlined in DC law, the DC Board of Elections and Ethics reaffirmed our committment to protecting the rights of all citizens here in the District of Columbia", Jeffrey Richardson, President of the Gertrude Stein Democratic Club.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Contact: Jeffrey Richardson, President (202) 491-9517, cell
president@steindemocrats.org

Washington, DC - Today, Harry Jackson, chairman, High Impact Leadership Coalition, and senior pastor, Hope Christian Church, joined Republican members of congress, Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, Rep. Tom Price, R-Ga., Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, Rep. Joe Pitts, R-Pa, Rep. John Fleming, R-La., on Capitol Hill to call on congress to enact legislation to oppose DC marriage recognition legislation and potentially define marriage in the District of Columbia as being between a man and a woman.

The Gertrude Stein Democratic Club issued the following statement:
"The residents of the District of Columbia are accustomed to some members of congress using the District as a political playground to earn points back in their home districts. But today, it is Bishop Harry Jackson and other DC, and metro DC, based clergy who participated in today's press conference, that have shown total disrespect for District residents' historical struggle for self-determination.

"Today Bishop Jackson has shown that he does not stand with and for the people of the District of Columbia, but I have confidence that District residents will continue to fight for our self-determination and equality for every resident of this great city", Jeffrey Richardson, President of the Gertrude Stein Democratic Club.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Last night the Ward 4 Democrats overwhelmingly passed a resolution supporting same sex civil marriage and calling on the DC City Council to enact legislation and asking the Mayor to sign it.

The Ward 4 Democrats becomes the 2nd DC Democratic Party organization to pass a resolution supporting marriage equality, The Ward 2 Democrats were the 1st.

The DC Democratic State Committee and the DC Young Democrats are expected to pass resolutions Thursday May 7th during their monthly meetings. The meetings are open to the public.

The Ward 8 Democrats and the Ward 5 Democrats will discuss marriage equality and vote on a resolution with next two weeks.

Today the City Council voted 12 to 1 to recognize same sex marriages from other jurisdictions.

"The Gertrude Stein Democratic Club thanks Council Chair Vincent Gray and the entire city council for taking a stand for equality in the District of Columbia.

 We still have a long road to travel, but today will stand as a bright and shining moment in the history of our local fight for equality." - Jeffrey Richardson

Continue to be apart of the conversation on May 13th at All Souls Church

visit DC for Marriage on Facebook