Marriage equality becomes reality in D.C.

At least 50 same-sex couples lined up to apply for marriage licenses the day gay unions became legal there.

Sinjoyla Townsend, 41, and her partner of 12 years, Angelisa Young, 47, claimed the first spot in line just after 6 a.m. They are already domestic partners in the city, so they are converting that partnership into a marriage license.

Washington D.C. is the sixth place in the nation where gay marriages can take place. Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont currently issue licenses to same-sex couples.

5/7/2009
D.C. Council approves marriage equality

The Washington D.C. City Council voted to recognize same-sex marriages from states that approve them, a step that The Huffington Post believes could propel the sensitive issue into Congress and draw Democrats into a “culture-war” battle with each other.

The city council vote is considered the first step toward eventually allowing gay marriages to be performed in Washington. Congress, which has final say over the city’s laws, has 30 days to review the bill, assuming Democratic Mayor Adrian Fenty, a supporter, signs it.

If Congress takes no action, the bill will become law automatically.