Oct 08, 2004   | COMMENTS     

Gay D.C. Councilmember Jim Graham (D-Ward 1) on Oct. 5 introduced a bill that would amend the city’s Human Rights Act to add domestic partners as a category protected from discrimination on the basis of marital status. The bill, the Human Rights Marital Status Clarification Amendment Act of 2004, calls for adding the term “domestic partnership” to the act’s existing categories, which ban discrimination on the basis of being married, single, divorced or widowed. Nine of the Council’s 13 members, including gay councilmember David Catania (I-At-Large), signed on as co-sponsors to Graham’s bill, indicating the bill is likely to receive quick approval. “This bill will ensure that domestic partners are protected against discrimination to the same extent as married couples,” Graham said. “But I emphasize that strengthening domestic partnerships does not mean we lose sight of the goal of full and fair marriage laws in the District,” Graham said. “We need greater equality now, but we will continue to work for same-sex marriage.” Graham said he continues to urge D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams to release an opinion by the city’s gay corporation counsel Robert Spagnoletti on whether existing D.C. law gives the mayor authority to recognize same-sex marriages performed in Massachusetts or other states. Sources from the mayor’s office have said the Spagnoletti opinion declares that existing city law would allow D.C. to recognize same-sex marriages performed legally by another state. However, the sources have said Williams agreed to requests by some gay activists, including members of the Gay & Lesbian Activists Alliance, to hold off on releasing the Spagnoletti opinion at least until after Congress adjourns and after the November election. GLAA, a small group of grassroots activists, expressed concern that D.C. recognition of same-sex marriages from other states would prompt Congress to overturn such recognition and amend the city’s charter to ban the city from recognizing or legalizing same-sex marriage in the future. A House-Senate conference committee on Oct. 5 approved the city’s fiscal year 2005 appropriations bill without adding an anti-gay marriage provision that some activists feared would occur. But GLAA spokesperson Rick Rosendall said possible congressional action on the issue would continue to be a factor for the foreseeable future.
LOU CHIBBARO JR.

Baltimore judge refuses legislators’ request to join marriage lawsuit
A Baltimore judge refused to allow eight state legislators to become defendants in a lawsuit aimed at overturning Maryland’s prohibition on same-sex marriage. Baltimore City Circuit Judge M. Brooke Murdock rejected the lawmakers’ motion, noting that “intervention would unduly delay and prejudice the adjudication of the rights of the original parties.” In July, the American Civil Liberties Union, along with the state’s gay rights group, Equality Maryland, sued the state over its gay marriage ban. Dan Furmansky, the executive director of Equality Maryland said the eight lawmakers “were grasping at straws.” The legislators who sought to be co-defendants were: Sen. Alex X. Mooney (R-Frederick/Washington), Del. Christopher B. Shank (R-Washington), Sen. Andrew P. Harris (Baltimore and Harford counties); Sen. Janet Greenip, Del. Herbert H. McMillan and Del. Donald H. Dwyer Jr., all of Anne Arundel County; and Del. Joseph C. Boteler III and Del. Emmett C. Burns Jr., both of Baltimore County. The lawmakers, all Republicans with the exception of Burns who is a Democrat, have not decided if they will appeal the decision, according to media reports. The lawmakers were represented by the American Center for Law & Justice, a conservative legal group.
JOE CREA

Mount Rainier approves DP health benefits for city workers
The City Council of Mount Rainier, Md., voted unanimously last week to adopt an ordinance that extends health insurance benefits to domestic partners of city employees. Effective immediately, both gay and straight domestic partners will receive health insurance and other benefits, including sick and family leave, according to city attorney Susan Silber. Mount Rainier, a city of 8,500 residents just outside of Washington, D.C., is considered to be a progressive community by locals and is home to three gay elected officials: Mayor Bryan Knedler, and city councilmembers Carol Gandee (Ward 1) and Pedro Briones (Ward 2). To qualify as a domestic partner, a couple must be unmarried, over 18 years of age and reside with their partner. A person can also name a dependent as a domestic partner, Silber said. Gandee was absent from Tuesday’s vote. According to Silber, Gandee has been on vacation and was unable to attend.
JOE CREA