Effort to force referendum on gay marriage fails

WASHINGTON - A "victory for all Americans" is how one D.C. council member described the latest ruling concerning gay marriage in the nation's capital.

An effort to force the District to hold a voter referendum on gay marriage failed Tuesday in D.C. Superior Court. Judge Judith E. Retchin ruled against a group of ministers who opposed recent legislation passed by the D.C. Council that would recognize gay marriage in other jurisdictions.

The ministers asked the Board of Elections to hold a referendum, but that request was denied. The ministers then took the issue to court.

Bishop Harry Jackson of Beltsville's Hope Christian Church, who led the coalition of ministers who brought the court case, tells WTOP the fight is not over.

"We're disappointed, but we're not giving up."

Jackson says he plans to try and get a voter initiative on the ballot in 2010 that would define marriage in the District as between a man and a woman. He says he doubts he will take his case to the D.C. Court of Appeals, but the issue is by no means settled.

Jim Graham, one of two openly gay city council members, called the ruling a "victory for all Americans."

"Whenever you put human rights to a vote, you run great and profound risks," Graham tells WTOP. "And that should be of concern to everybody because it's one group now, it's another group later so this is a victory for everybody in the District of Columbia."

On May 5, the city council voted 12-1 to recognize same-sex marriages from states that approve them, a move that propelled the issue into Congress and drew Democrats into a culture-wars battle with each other.

The city council vote is considered the first step toward eventually allowing gay marriages to be performed in Washington. The White House declined to comment on the council's vote, repeating President Barack Obama's general support for civil unions and belief that marriage is between a man and a woman.

The law will take effect on July 6.

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