It is a significant milestone for marriage equality advocates. As of March 9, same-sex couples are now able to marry in Washington, D.C. Same-sex couples were allowed to apply for marriage licenses starting on March 3. The day before, the Supreme Court had refused to block the District’s gay marriage law.
 Sinjoyla Townsend, left, and Angelisa Young were among the first same-sex couples to marry in Washington, D.C., March 9. |
This makes Washington, D.C., the sixth place in the country—and the first jurisdiction below the Mason-Dixon Line—that allows same-sex couples to marry. Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont also issue licenses to same-sex couples.
“Today the love that you have recognized all along is recognized by the District of Columbia,” said Rev. Dwayne Johnson of the Metropolitan Community Church of Washington as he married Darlene Garner and Candy Holmes of Laurel, Md., one of the first same-sex couples to marry in D.C. (Associated Press, March 9)
On March 3, same-sex couples had lined up outside the Moultrie Courthouse in downtown D.C. to apply for marriage licenses. According to the Associated Press, 151 couples applied that day, most of them same-sex couples.
Media coverage described poignant scenes outside the courthouse as couples obtained their marriage licenses. According to the Washington Times, Sinjoyla Townsend cried, she was “overcome by the emotion of the day.” Townsend and her partner, Angelisa Young, were the first same-sex couple in line to apply for a license to marry.
Victory, however, is no reason to let our guard down. Recent events have proven that, in the fight against deep-rooted bigotry, victories can be rolled back. On Nov. 5, 2008, California stopped issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples due to Proposition 8 and on Nov. 4, 2009, Maine’s gay marriage law was repealed.
The Washington Post reported that gay marriage opponents in the U.S. Congress may try to block funds needed by the District to implement the law as part of the appropriations process this spring. The federal government does not allow the D.C. government to spend local tax dollars without Congressional or presidential approval.
Opponents are also looking to put a ban on gay marriages before voters, a move similar to California’s Proposition 8 well-financed campaign of bigotry and disinformation.
However, for now the mood is celebratory. The Party for Socialism and Liberation honors this triumph. It’s a victory for all people who struggle for equality.
