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 DC’s diverse population.
• Work with GLBT faith community in an interfaith effort to make the case for civil equality.