With a 5-4 vote, the D.C. Court of Appeals has upheld same-sex marriage in D.C. The appeal came after a Superior Court judge sided with the D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics, which had rejected an initiative to have the gay marriage issue decided by popular vote rather than the D.C. Council. The council had voted to allow same-sex marriage last December.

Last May, attorneys representing opponents of gay marriage, supported by the group National Organization for Marriage, argued before the D.C. Court of Appeals that the decision of the board had violated the District’s Human Rights Act by authorizing same-sex marriage.

The court was asked to resolve the following legal question: did the District of Columbia Board of Elections and Ethics act lawfully when it rejected the proposed initiative on the ground that it would authorize discrimination prohibited by the Human Rights Act?

Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese hailed the decision as a positive step forward:

Bishop Harry Jackson, pastor of Hope Christian Church in Beltsville, said the 5-4 decision was a “sad day” but that he and his attorneys are “encouraged” by the split vote and planning to take the case to the country’s highest court.

The court’s ruling today is a significant victory for justice, the rule of law and the protection of all DC residents against discrimination. It’s time for the National Organization for Marriage to realize equality is here to stay no matter how much money they want to throw at turning back the clock.

Related Resources:

  • What is the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA)? (FindLaw’s Law and Daily Life)
  • The Problem of Same Sex Divorce in Texas (FindLaw’s Law and Daily Life)
  • Federal Employee Sues Obama Admin for Same Sex Benefits (FindLaw’s Law and Daily Life)
  • Marriage (provided by Jennings and Jennings, Attorneys at Law)

You Don’t Have To Solve This on Your Own – Get a Lawyer’s Help

Civil Rights

Block on Trump’s Asylum Ban Upheld by Supreme Court

Criminal

Judges Can Release Secret Grand Jury Records

Politicians Can’t Block Voters on Facebook, Court Rules