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Marion Barry Claims Gay Vendetta


Washington, D.C., councilman and former mayor Marion Barry is claiming that openly gay councilman David Catania is out to get him.

Catania has asked the Office of the Inspector General to investigate Barry's use of congressional provisions since he has been under scrutiny for allegedly awarding his then-girlfriend a monthly $5,000 city contract and allocating nearly $1 million in tax dollars to social service organizations run by members of his staff.

Barry believes Catania "has a vendetta" against him because Barry was the sole opposition to a bill to grant recognition in the nation's capital to same-sex couples married outside the District.

"I attribute your latest actions to my 'no' vote on recognizing same-sex marriages from other states," Barry wrote in a letter to Catania that was obtained by the Washington City Paper . Catania was an ardent supporter of the bill, which passed 12-1 and went into effect last week.

Barry has been under fire for changing his stance on same-sex marriage. In June 2008, Barry claimed he would support a marriage equality bill. However, in May 2009 he was the only member of the D.C. City Council to vote against a bill to recognize marriages of same-sex couples legally performed outside of the capital.

"I have been a friend of [the LGBT] community and I will continue to be a friend," Barry said in May. "I don't want this [marriage vote] to be a litmus test, because if it's a litmus test, it's not a true friendship."

He also attended an anti-marriage equality rally in April, where he called same-sex marriage "immoral."

Barry was arrested during the July 4 weekend and charged with misdemeanor stalking of his ex-girlfriend Donna Watts-Brighthaupt. The charges were later dropped.

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Reader Comments
  • Name: Wyatt Christianus Hilby
    Date posted: 7/16/2009 7:21:00 PM
    Hometown: Spokane

    Comment:

    What I find totally sad - that now more than ever - our nation's capitol reflects more accurately that which readily plagues everyday America. Gone is the stark or ironic contrast which used to easily make D.C. hide her head. Of course - if you commute from Maryland - chances are you already pay someone to hide their head for you. But there is hope for everyone. Your America is in fact what you make of it. So who's the bigger fool - the fool who leads or the fool who follows?

  • Name: Josh
    Date posted: 7/16/2009 4:46:00 PM
    Hometown: DC

    Comment:

    I don't think most people outside of the district understand the stranglehold Marrion Barry has over this city. He is the root of most corruption and shady dealings outside of Capitol Hill in the nations capitol. City government is nothing but layer upon layer of administrators making (outrageous) salaries most all appointed by Barry or his cronies. He places key community people on the payroll so they, their friends & family continue to vote him in power. Barry and his actions prevent the poor from rising from poverty, and keep this city from becoming the Jewel of this country instead of an embarrassment. His death will be of no loss to this city. I hope Catania can finally nail him, and take down this filthy individual.

  • Name: Roy Rogers Oldenkamp
    Date posted: 7/16/2009 4:39:00 PM
    Hometown: West Hollywood

    Comment:

    WHO CARES if he did crack and cheated on his wife? If he was a gay councilman, would we really care if he snorted a line of a gogo boy's johnson and cheated on his longtime companion? I doubt it. What is bothersome is how African Americans were led to the trough of the Almighty Jesus, not even their historical deity! A white dude! At least the African pantheistic gods were largely nature related. Bring back Shango!!

  • Name: queerplanet
    Date posted: 7/16/2009 3:07:00 PM
    Hometown: earth

    Comment:

    A gay man is out to get me! The deluded fantasies of a closet case, or the deranged rantings of a crack addict? You decide.

  • Name: Roger
    Date posted: 7/16/2009 12:41:00 PM
    Hometown: Roanoke, VA

    Comment:

    Hitting the crack pipe again, Mr Barry?

  • Name: ck
    Date posted: 7/16/2009 11:46:00 AM
    Hometown: colorado

    Comment:

    Marion Barry should have faded into oblivion many years ago when he was busted buying drugs. The only bigger IDIOT than him is the IDIOT that votes for him. What a pathetic display of moronic judgment that this guy is still in politics.

  • Name: John
    Date posted: 7/16/2009 11:28:00 AM
    Hometown: Cincinnati

    Comment:

    First of all, this post had nothing to do with black men being gay, so the relationship was a little far fetched. Secondly, dont speak about what you dont know about. I am an openly gay man that has just recently come out. The relationship to black gay men being sissies and being slaves...whoa! I don't quite get that one. Homosexuality in our community is not discussed. I will be the first to admit that this is a huge part of why you don't see us out there. But until a more positive light is shed on homosexuality, you probably won't. Most black parents are old school and believe in the teachings of the Bible that have been handed down to them. In some instances, I am the same way to some extent. I was always taught that marriage is between on man and one woman. But, for me, it is merely an issue of terminology, and I think that is the issue for a lot of people. They want to protect their word. In summary, change the perception, change the numberof participants.

  • Name: Jay
    Date posted: 7/16/2009 9:19:00 AM
    Hometown: Santa Monica

    Comment:

    Berry is a good example of those who think (straight) marriage is sanctified. I think he should be made the poster boy for all the organizations that oppose same-sex marriage.

  • Name: John ADRIAN
    Date posted: 7/16/2009 9:06:00 AM
    Hometown: Staten Island, New York

    Comment:

    I think history has shown that Marion Berry is and has been, for a very long time, "ethically challenged". Or, as another commentor put it, "Marin Berry is a vote monger."

  • Name: Joe Reid
    Date posted: 7/16/2009 8:04:00 AM
    Hometown: San Diego, CA

    Comment:

    LOL I remember Marion Berry when he would make appearances at a local DC bar called The Pier (gay owned - everyone welcome). He and his wife Effie would be partying and begging the LGBT community for vote for them. Now, with his religious background he's swung the other way to get black votes in DC. He's a vote monger who's been kept in office by playing into race politics and religion in DC. SAD!

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