DC Court Refuses To Delay Effectiveness of Same-Sex Marriage Law

In Washington, D.C. on Friday, the D.C. Superior Court tentatively rejected an attempt to prevent the city's Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Equality Amendment Act of 2009 from going into effect on March 3. The Act authorizes same-sex marriage in D.C. Metro Weekly reports that challengers sought the delay while the court is deciding on their attempt to get a referendum on the new law. The DC Board of Elections and Ethics has rejected the referendum petition because it would undercut attempts to eradicate discrimination prohibited by the D.C. Human Rights Act. That ruling is on appeal to the Superior Court. (See prior posting.)