Last Stand Against D.C. Gay Marriage

Harry Jackson, the bishop of a Maryland congregation, has petitioned the Supreme Court to hear a case on putting marriage equality in Washington, D.C., up to a vote.

Jackson has been a strident opponent of same-sex marriage in the district, which enacted marriage equality in December and began issuing marriage licenses in March.

Human Rights Campaign president Joe Solmonese issued the following statement:

"Today's petition by Bishop Jackson to the U.S. Supreme Court is nothing more than a last-ditch attempt by outside interests to try to eliminate marriage equality in the District. Every court that has reviewed this case, including two Superior Court judges and the full Court of Appeals, has found Jackson's arguments to be without merit. We are confident that the District's highest court properly decided that the Council had the right to broadly protect human rights for all District residents by prohibiting discriminatory ballot initiatives.

"The Council and Mayor, representing District residents, overwhelmingly approved legislation providing for marriage equality. And we will remain vigilant against any efforts to take it away."