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Supreme Court Denies D.C. Marriage Foes


WASHINGTON DC MARRIAGE RINGS x390 (fair use) | Advocate.com

The U.S. Supreme Court has refused to stop same-sex marriage in the District of Columbia, clearing the way for couples to register to wed beginning Wednesday. Equal-rights opponents in the capital had asked Chief Justice John Roberts to prevent the issuing of licenses until residents had voted on the issue. Lower courts had denied requests to place a moratorium on issuing of licenses.

"It has been the practice of the court to defer to the decisions of the courts of the District of Columbia on matters of exclusively local concern," wrote Roberts, who made the decision without bringing in the full court.

Roberts also cited the fact that although D.C. is autonomous, Congress could have passed a bill to disallow the city government from enacting the law, and it did not do so.

Marriages may be performed beginning March 9, as there is a waiting period of three business days after the issuance of licenses.

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Reader Comments
  • Name: John
    Date posted: 3/3/2010 6:32:37 AM
    Hometown: Waltham, MA

    Comment:

    Interesting choice of words: "exclusively local concern," Assuming that the reporters here are presenting all the relevant facts correctly, Roberts is appears to be saying that he thinks the Feds have no role in limiting how states define marriage (or at least DC, which is less than a state Constitutionally). This suggests that even though he might find Prop 8 Constitutional (no big surprise), he might find DOMA unConstitutional (which would be good news).

  • Name: Tod
    Date posted: 3/3/2010 4:55:30 AM
    Hometown: West Hollwyood

    Comment:

    I'm sorry, I'm from California, is there a catch? You sure? Justice Roberts? Wow. Hmm. Someone's getting married.

  • Name: Davya
    Date posted: 3/3/2010 2:04:38 AM
    Hometown: Wynnewood, PA

    Comment:

    Recognizing local autonomy. Finally a conservative actually working against fundamentalist statists on true conservative values. God bless our country.

  • Name: Dan in Florida
    Date posted: 3/3/2010 12:59:46 AM
    Hometown: Palm Harbor

    Comment:

    Poor Maggie Gallagher - it's so hard to find an activist judge when you really need one.

  • Name: Roger Burr
    Date posted: 3/2/2010 10:13:29 PM
    Hometown: Marble Hill

    Comment:

    To Ryan, in Boston; you're right! There was no 'legal basis' for the Court to intervene. Sadly, this has not stopped them in the past. Their intervention in the 2000 Presidential election resulted in the debacle of George Bush. It's always a toss-up with the Court. I take nothing for granted.

  • Name: Mark
    Date posted: 3/2/2010 9:49:57 PM
    Hometown: Wappingers Falls

    Comment:

    Ironically these civil marriages in Washington, DC are not recognized by the federal government (to which we pay taxes) due to the unconstitutional so called DOMA. Anybody ready for the revolution yet?

  • Name: Ryan
    Date posted: 3/2/2010 8:23:16 PM
    Hometown: Boston

    Comment:

    This isn't any surprise. There was no legal basis for the Court to intervene.

  • Name: Ginelle
    Date posted: 3/2/2010 7:44:19 PM
    Hometown: British Columbia, Canada

    Comment:

    Justice and equality overrule injustice and hatred! It certainly is a beautiful day in the neighbourhood and will be even more beautiful on March 20th in Washington, D.C. when the first ever mass Gay wedding will take place. HALLELUJAH!!!

  • Name: Dan
    Date posted: 3/2/2010 6:39:40 PM
    Hometown: PA

    Comment:

    Yes, yes yes!!! Truth and love shall triumph over lies and bigotry. Thank you SCOTUS for upholding the constitution!

  • Name: Fausto Fernandez
    Date posted: 3/2/2010 6:36:11 PM
    Hometown: Alexandria, VA

    Comment:

    Glory, glory, halleluja!



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