Same-sex marriage bill introduced at D.C. Council

WASHINGTON - A bill that would allow same-sex couples to wed in the District was introduced at a D.C. Council meeting Tuesday.

D.C. Council member David Catania, one of two openly gay council members, introduced the legislation to a standing-room only crowd.

Catania's bill defines marriage as "the legally recognized union of 2 people" and says that "any person ... may marry any other eligible person regardless of gender."

The bill would not require religious organizations to perform same-sex marriages.

There will be a public hearing on the issue in late October, with a preliminary vote as early as December.

The bill is expected to have 10 co-introducers and easily pass the 13-member city council.

D.C. Council Chairman Vince Gray says the big question is will Congress allow the law to take effect?

"I haven't taken the pulse of Congress as to what the sentiment is. I start out with the position that we are to be given the opportunity to make our own decisions, and I remain hopeful that that will be the case," Gray says.

Gray hopes Congress will stay out this debate.

"It is the right time and the right thing to do."

In July, the District began recognizing same-sex marriages performed elsewhere. Congress did not oppose that legislation when it passed earlier this year.

However, U.S. Rep. Jason Chaffetz of Utah said Tuesday he would work to have the bill defeated if the D.C. Council passed the measure, though he believed Democrats in Congress would likely block any vote.

"Some fights are worth fighting for," the Republican said. "This is one of them."

If it is passes, the measure would make the District the sixth jurisdiction to allow same sex marriages in the U.S. Same-sex marriages performed in states that allow them are already recognized in the city.

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