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Where DC Officials stand on marriage 10/27/07 GLAA endorses DP Amendments Act 10/19/07 Baker defends Rosendall and GLAA 10/12/07 GLAA on defending our families |
Civil Marriage Equality — a Marathon Effort
GLAA has:
- Educated and tracked candidates for Mayor and DC Council on civil marriage equality since 1994.
- Researched DC Law and found over 200 marriage-related rights and responsibilities.
- Led the coalition effort that resulted in the domestic partnership law in 1992.
- Worked successfully with allies to lift the congressional ban on our DP registry in 2002.
- Developed an incremental strategy to expand legal protections for gay and lesbian families as we
continue to advocate and organize for the long-term goal of full equality. - Worked with DC Council members to expand domestic partner protections.
- Helped organize the non-profit Foundation for All DC Families in 2005 after a DC anti-gay ballot
initiative was threatened. - Developed advocacy and lobbying materials, published on our website at www.glaa.org.
Key Facts:
- 10 DC Council members and the Mayor are on record in support of civil marriage equality.
- Recent expansions of the domestic partnership law have passed unanimously.
- All DC laws are subject to legislative veto by the U.S. Congress.
- Congressional opposition to civil marriage equality is bipartisan.
- The radical religious right has used marriage as a red-flag issue in recent elections to turn out
social conservatives in swing states, both to elect more anti-gay officials and amend state
constitutions to bar same-sex couples from civil marriage and similar protections. - Polls show a gradual increase in American voter support for marriage equality.
What should the GLBT community and its allies do now?
- Work to win over the 3 DC Council members holding out on marriage equality, or replace them
with supportive candidates. A unified front will aid our defense on Capitol Hill. - Work to elect members of Congress who support gay equality and respect Home Rule.
- Avoid passing legislation that would play into the hands of the radical right.
- Work with DC Council allies to develop a legislative strategy.
- Do outreach and education to increase support among DCs diverse population.
- Work with GLBT faith community in an interfaith effort to make the case for civil equality.
P.O. Box 75265 Washington, DC 20013 202-667-5139 www.glaa.org
