Another Loss For DC Marriage Opponents

Another attempt by Harry Jackson to have same-sex marriage rights put to DC's voters has failed despite the support of 39 GOP members of Congress.

A judge in Washington, D.C., has thrown out a lawsuit by opponents of gay marriage against the city's elections board. Plaintiffs led by a Maryland pastor, Bishop Harry Jackson, sued after the Board of Elections and Ethics refused to put their initiative on the ballot. The measure would have defined marriage as between a man and a woman. The board ruled it violated the city's Human Rights Act. D.C. Superior Court Judge Judith N. Macaluso ruled Thursday in favor of the city. She said the board's action was justified because the initiative would in effect authorize discrimination.

Barring the intervention of Congress, gay couples in DC will be able to apply for marriage licenses on March 2nd. Three days later they'll be allowed to wed.