Strike Three…You’re Out…Maybe?

Opponents of marriage equality realized their third strike yesterday in D.C. as their latest attempt to postpone same-sex marriages from happening in the District fell short. Marriage equality is expected to begin in D.C. on March 3.

The Board of Elections and Ethics rejected the anti-gay Stand for Marriage D.C.’s (a group formed and led by the anti-gay Maryland pastor, Harry Jackson, which has also been a financial windfall for the bishop) latest attempt to place marriage equality on the ballot as an initiative to ban gay marriage for the third time. All three times the board has ruled a ballot proposal would violate the city’s Human Rights Act (HRA), which prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation.

In an 18 page ruling, the board stated:

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

One may think strike three and you’re out…However the anti-gay opponents have appealed the previous rulings by the board to the D.C. Superior Court, and are expected to appeal this time as well.

Previously, opponents to equality fought against the council’s decision to legally recognize same-sex marriages performed outside of D.C. in states where gay marriage is legal, but the focus has now shifted solely to the efforts of preventing the marriage equality law that was approved in December from taking effect until the issue has been placed as a referendum for voter approval.

Some Congressional Republicans have also attempted to intervene and prevent the law from taking affect as congress holds the ultimate authority over laws passed by D.C.’s council. Senator Bob Bennett and Representative Jason Chaffetz, both from Utah, have introduced legislation that would overturn the measure. Bennett stated:

“The determination of marriage affects every person and should be debated openly, lawfully and democratically.”

Chaffetz has stated Democratic leaders are playing unfair with the public voters on the issue saying, “They’re [Democrats] afraid of a vote. They’re afraid of the public.”