In a little noticed development, D.C. Council member Phil Mendelson (D-At-Large) introduced a bill in October that would allow same-sex couples who marry in D.C. but live in states that don’t recognize their marriage to return to the District to get a divorce.

Supporters say the bill, the Civil Marriage Dissolution Equality Amendment Act of 2011, is needed because states that don’t recognize same-sex marriage have no legal mechanism to issue a divorce to gay or lesbian couples who wish to dissolve their D.C. marriage through a divorce.

Under the city’s existing marriage law, which allows same-sex couples to marry, one or both parties to a same-sex marriage performed in D.C. would have to become a city resident for six months before the city would grant the couple a divorce.

...[The District of Columbia] Council testimony and media reports during consideration of the modern marriage bill touted extraordinary local economic benefits to come once gay and lesbian couples were permitted to marry in Washington.

Unfortunately, although no commercial benefit was — or should be — required to justify the expansion of the civil right to marry, those projections have proven overstated and the level of anticipated revenue for local businesses has not materialized.

The shortfall is due to both unrealistic economic forecasting by some marriage equality advocates and a notably lower number of same-sex marriages performed in the District than projected.

In response to a recent “Orthodox” same-sex marriage ceremony conducted in Washington, D.C. by Rabbi Steve Greenberg, – who is openly gay, and married Yoni Bock and Ron Kaplan at the 6th & I Synagogue in Washington in November – over 100 Orthodox Rabbis – among them some of the most prominent rabbinic figures in the Orthodox Jewish world, including Rabbi Hershel Schachter and Rabbi Hershel Reichman of Yeshiva University and Rabbi Elie Abadie of the Safra Synagogue – issued a statement declaring that, “By definition, a union that is not sanctioned by Torah law is not an Orthodox wedding, and by definition a person who conducts such a ceremony is not an Orthodox rabbi.”

They also dispelled any doubt over possible flexibility on the matter in the future, writing, “We strongly object to this desecration of Torah values and to the subsequent misleading reportage…the public should not be misled into thinking that Orthodox Jewish values on this issue can change, are changing, or might someday change…any claims to the contrary are inaccurate and false.”

Tune in to Catholic Matters tomorrow, Tuesday, September 27, 2011 at 8 am. It's a great way to begin your day! We'll be speaking with Rick Kramer, the Associate Director of the Office of Evangelization and Family Life at the Archdiocese of Washington about a marriage summit this weekend. The one day conference, titled "Tackling the Tough Questions: Is Forever Possible?" covers just about every aspect of marriage, from dating to what it takes to make marriage last and even how to cope with failed marriages. The political debates over marriage are also topics that will be addressed.

Overwhelmingly adopted by Congress in 1996, and signed into law by President Clinton, DOMA has been under increasing attacks in recent months, as bills in both the House and Senate seek to repeal the law, President Obama has openly advocated for its repeal, and earlier this year, the Obama administration announced that it would no longer defend the law in court.

On the docket to testify in defense of marriage are national experts including Ed Whelan of the Ethics and Public Policy Center, Tom Minnery from Focus on the Family, and Austin Nimocks from the Alliance Defense Fund.

Due to the large crowds expected, the hearing has been moved to Room 216 in the Hart Senate Office Building tomorrow morning, beginning at 9:45am. If you can possibly come, please do, and bring a friend to help fill the room with marriage supporters. You'll want to come early (no later than 8am) to be sure you get a seat.

Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing on S.598
Wednesday, July 20, 2011 at 9:45am
Hart Senate Office Building, Room 216
Constitution Avenue and 2nd Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002

Jim Jordan, chairman of the 176-member Republican Study Committee, is leading an effort by conservatives to press House leaders for floor votes in opposition to gay marriage.

“We want to advance marriage. That’s the pledge. Our party should be all about defending marriage as it has always been defined,” he said.

"Georgene Rice of KPDQ-FM interviews Maggie Gallagher with the National Organization for Marriage in California. She discusses the Supreme Court’s recent decision to deny an appeal to the D.C. same-sex marriage decision. They discuss whether it was a procedural decision or if it goes to the merits of the question of same-sex marriage. She also outlines the other defense of marriage actions that are being considered in the courts all across the nation."

The Charter granted to residents of D.C. by Congress gives them a right to pass laws via referendum.  The City Council has refused to permit the people to vote on marriage, which they say is now part of the human rights code. Can the legislature (city council) overturn a right given in a state constitution (the Charter)?  That's the legal question.

Well, actually he focused primarily on Cathlics for Equality's plan to organize "inside churches" to combat the authority of Catholic bishops and to rat out priests who speak up for the Church's teachings on marriage.  Family Research Council and now Catholic.org have picked up his email, which allows us to share it with you.  Tom Peters calls Catholics for Equality "a dangerous and unprecendented threat to the Church." Read more here, and tell us what you think.

And support Maggie at this event in person or online if you can.

EVENT DETAILS:
Wednesday, December 8
7:30 – 10:30pm
Georgetown University Intercultural Center Auditorium (ICC)
37th and O Sts, NW
Washington, DC
Details on Facebook

"Nurturing families come in many forms, and children may be raised by a father and mother, a single father, two fathers, a step father, a grandfather, or caring guardian.  We owe a special debt of gratitude for those parents serving in the United States Armed Forces and their families, whose sacrifices protect the lives and liberties of all American children.  For the character they build, the doors they open, and the love they provide over our lifetimes, all our fathers deserve our unending appreciation and admiration."

Full text of Presidential Proclamation.

Dear Friends of Marriage,

Join us Tuesday at 9am in front of the DC Court of Appeals as we rally for marriage!

On Tuesday morning, the Court of Appeals will be hearing the appeal in the DC Marriage Initiative case. As the media covers the arguments inside, NOM is joining Bishop Harry Jackson (also lead plaintiff in the case) and the Stand4Marriage DC team in calling on all marriage supporters to come together in a public display of support for marriage and for the rights of DC voters.

Join us for this historic event, as our coalition comes together across all racial, religious, and party lines to affirm the importance of marriage. Help support the African-American pastors and voters who have taken the lead in this important civil rights struggle to protect marriage and the voting rights of DC citizens. Over the past months, NOM has been contributing to Democratic city council candidates willing to stand for marriage, and on Tuesday Democrats and Republicans alike will come together in common cause to protect marriage. 

Please join us!

We will gather at 9am outside the DC Court of Appeals (430 E St. NW), just four blocks west of Union Station and around the corner from the Judiciary Square Metro station. I will be joining Bishop Jackson and others in speaking at the event, as we fight to protect marriage in our nation's capital.

We'll be there throughout the morning until around 2pm, with a press conference at 1pm following the hearing. So if you can't make it at 9, please stop by over your lunch hour or in the early afternoon!

We need you there -- and wear white!

Where: DC Court of Appeals, 430 E St. NW, Washington DC
When:  Tuesday, May 4, at 9:00am
Who:    You! 

If you believe the citizens of DC should have the right ot vote on same-sex marriage, we need you on Tuesday!  And please help spread the word to your friends and family. I know it's a work day, but if you can possibly arrange your schedule to be there, even for just a few minutes, please do.

Faithfully,

Brian S. Brown
President
National Organization for Marriage
20 Nassau Street, Suite 242
Princeton, NJ 08542
bbrown@nationformarriage.org

Dear Friends of Marriage,

Late Wednesday night, the Senate went on record on marriage, rejecting an amendment introduced by Utah Senator Bob Bennett and refusing to block same-sex marriage in our nation's capital by a vote of 59-36.

All but two of the 38 Republican senators present voted for the Bennett amendment, while all 57 Democrats voted to block the measure (as they did every amendment to the health care reconciliation bill proposed last night).  The amendment would have suspended the DC same-sex marriage law pending a referendum allowing DC voters to resolve the question.

Ironically, the only two Republicans to join with the Democrats in opposing the amendment were Senators Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins of Maine, where just six months ago voters used the referendum process to reject a same-sex marriage bill passed by the Maine legislature.

Fifty-nine U.S. Senators are now on record allowing same-sex marriage in our nation's capital and refusing to protect the Charter rights of District residents.

Although disappointing, this outcome was not unexpected, and we are grateful for the hard work of Senator Bob Bennett of Utah, and of the Senate GOP leadership, in gaining the floor vote and putting the entire Senate on record on marriage. We're optimistic that the Supreme Court will ultimately vindicate the rights of DC residents to vote on an initiative on same-sex marriage, but today it's important that our voices continue to be heard in Washington.

Let your senators know you're watching their vote! Send your message today!

We've set up an online action center that will allow you to send letters to your senators based on their vote. Those who voted to protect marriage in the District will receive a thank-you letter urging them to stand strong, while those who refused to protect marriage will be reminded that you care about marriage and will remember their vote on this amendment.

We've drafted sample messages that you can customize and send. It only takes 5 minutes to let your senators know this issue is important to their constituents. Click here to send your message right now.

Thank you for all you do to protect marriage. Please forward this message to friends and family who can join us in making an impact in Washington. 

Faithfully, 

Brian S. Brown
Executive Director
National Organization for Marriage
20 Nassau Street, Suite 242
Princeton, NJ 08542
bbrown@nationformarriage.org

P.S.: Your generosity allows us to keep up the fight for marriage all across the country. Please click here to make a secure online contribution today!

Details here.

Dear Friends of Marriage,

I need your help today. The Senate is expected to vote as early as this afternoon on the DC Marriage Referendum.

We need to take action NOW! Click here to send an email to your senators, urging them to vote in favor of the Bennett Amendment on DC Marriage Referendum.

For weeks, we've been working to get a vote on the DC Marriage Referendum. And Senator Bob Bennett has championed the cause -- pushing for a floor vote that will put the entire Senate on record on marriage. We have just a short window of time. Please take action now!

The Bennett amendment will be offered as amendment #3568 to the health care reconciliation package during the "vote-o-rama" period expected to begin this afternoon. During the reconciliation vote-o-rama, senators have wide latitude to introduce amendments. Each amendment receives 2 minutes of debate (1 minute per side) and then a vote. This process can go on for several days, until no senator rises to offer further amendment. We are told that GOP leadership will prioritize the Bennett amendment for action this afternoon or tomorrow.

Your action is critical today. Click here to take action! Although passage of the Bennett amendment is unlikely given the fact that Democratic leadership is committed to passing the reconciliation bill with few or no changes, this is an important opportunity to put every Senator on record with respect to marriage.

The DC Charter guarantees District residents the right to vote on important matters by referendum or initiative. The District Council has acted repeatedly to limit the people's constitutional right to referendum and initiative, first creating a statutory rule that referenda and initiatives may not be brought to a vote if they would "authorize discrimination" under the District Human Rights Act, and then concluding that the marriage initiative is discriminatory.

Clearly marriage is not discriminatory - in fact DC law did not even permit same-sex marriage at the time the first initiative measure was filed to maintain the status quo. But even if the marriage referendum did violate the Human Rights Act, the Council cannot simply adopt ordinances that revoke rights guaranteed by the Charter. The people of the District are guaranteed the right to vote on marriage - a right that has been repeatedly trampled by the DC Council.

Click here to send your Senators a message today. Tell them to protect the rights of DC voters by voting yes on the Bennett Amendment on DC Marriage Referendum.

The issue before the Congress is not even whether same-sex marriage should be legalized in the District, but whether the Home Rule Charter should be enforced, guaranteeing the people of the District their right to decide the issue for themselves, just as voters in 31 states have similarly done. This is exactly the type of oversight Congress should be doing in the District - reining in an out-of-control District Council.

After sending your emails, please take a moment to forward this message to friends and family. Our most important asset in this fight is the number of Americans all across the country who are determined to protect marriage! Help get the word out by sending this email to three friends today!

Everything moves fast in vote-o-rama. But our Senators need to know that we are watching, and will remember in November, how they vote on the DC Marriage Referendum.

Faithfully, 

Brian S. Brown
Executive Director
National Organization for Marriage
20 Nassau Street, Suite 242
Princeton, NJ 08542
bbrown@nationformarriage.org

P.S.: Your generous donations allow us to keep up the fight for marriage all across the nation. Please click here to make a secure online gift today!