DC: Elections Board Rejects Gay Marriage Opponents for a Third Time

Third time was not the charm for opponents of gay marriage in the District of Columbia. On Thursday, their latest effort to delay the expected March 3 start of a gay marriage law also ran aground. In its third ruling on the issue, the Board of Elections and Ethics rejected opponents' latest attempt to place on the ballot an initiative that would ban gay marriage in the District. The board has consistently ruled that such a measure would violate the city's Human Rights Act (HRA) that prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation.

“The Referendum seeks to frustrate this effort, and would, if successful, have the effect of authorizing discrimination in contravention of the HRA,” the board said in its 18-page ruling. “Accordingly, it does not present a proper subject for referendum, and may not be accepted by the Board.”

Opponents have appealed the board's previous rulings to the D.C. Superior Court, and are likely to appeal its latest decision. In both cases, however, the court agreed with the board.

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