news icon

District of Columbia to Recognize Gay Marriages from Other States

The Associated Press reports that the District of Columbia Council unanimously voted today to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states. The District joins New York in recognizing same-sex marriages but without actually allowing them to be performed within their precincts. Recognition is widely seen as a step closer to granting gays and lesbians the right to marry.

Same-sex marriage is now permitted in four states: Vermont, Iowa, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. Two states, New Hampshire and New Jersey, offer civil unions to gays and lesbians. New Hampshire's House passed a marriage bill in March, which now awaits a Senate vote. In New Jersey, Gov. Jon Corzine has pledged to sign a gay marriage bill that has been introduced in its legislature. Which state will be next?

Under the federal Defense of Marriage Act, the U.S. government does not recognize same-sex unions, even those that are legal marriages in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and several foreign countries.

Clip this story
Tim McElreavy
April 7th, 2009
Tim McElreavy's picture

Tim McElreavy is the Managing Editor and a co-founder of CarnalNation. He has been a writer, editor, and communications manager for nearly twenty years. He holds a master's degree in art and art history from Tufts University and did additional graduate work in modern and contemporary art at Stanford University. He also received sex education training from San Francisco Sex Information. From June 6-12, 2010, Tim will ride his bike the 545 miles between San Francisco and Los Angeles for the annual AIDS Lifecycle to help end HIV/AIDS. To pledge him, click here.