Washington DC Elections Board Hearing Challenge to Gay Marriage Law

The D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics is holding a hearing today on whether the City Council bill to recognize same-sex marriages performed in others states can be put to a referendum. The hearing room is packed with both supporters and opponents of the proposed referendum. At the hearing, which could stretch into the late afternoon, the two members of the elections board will have to decide whether the referendum can be held without violating District election law. Under D.C. law, referendums cannot be used to appropriate funds, overturn a budget act or violate the Human Rights Act. Gay rights advocates, backed by attorneys from the city, plan to argue a referendum would violate the Human Rights Act. The act prohibits discrimination against gays and lesbians. Full Story from the Washington Post

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