Feel the Homomentum!

Following on the heels of Washington DC's having voted to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states, DC Councilman David Catania has introduced legislation that would legalize same-sex marriage in the nation's capital. The bill—which preemptively steals the thunder of a popular (if bullshit) argument of the opposite by explicitly stating "religious leaders and institutions are not required to perform the marriages or rent their space for same-sex ceremonies"—is almost certain to pass the DC council, but is subject (as is all DC legislation) to Congressional review and approval.

At least one Republican congressman has said he will work to have the bill defeated if it passes the D.C. council.

"Some fights are worth fighting for," said U.S. Rep. Jason Chaffetz of Utah, who thinks Democrats in Congress would likely block any vote on D.C.'s measure. "This is one of them."

Indeed. If there's anything worth fighting for in America, it's to preserve institutional inequality and deny people their democratically-conferred rights.

The Catholic Church and Washington's archbishop, Donald Wuerl, have been vocal in opposing the legislation. And a group led by Bishop Harry Jackson, the pastor of a Maryland church, had previously asked D.C.'s board of elections to authorize a ballot initiative defining marriage as between a man and a woman.

The board will consider the request later this month.

"We are prepared to go to court," Jackson said.

Of course you are.

But back to the exciting stuff!

D.C. Councilman David Catania introduced the new bill at a standing-room only council meeting. The independent and one of two openly gay council members said he hopes for a vote in December.

"There is no question that we are about to embark on an exciting journey here in the district," he said.

...Same-sex marriage supporters cheered the bill's introduction. D.C. residents Juan Rondon and Edward Grandis came to the meeting wearing T-shirts that displayed copies of their California marriage license.

Blub.

I know I'm a broken record, but I'll say it once more nonetheless: Every one of these challenges brings us closer to the day when DOMA is repealed and marriage inequality on the basis of sexual orientation is merely a historical fact.