''We will have an army of signature collectors out in the community and into the churches to make it happen. We have every confidence we can make this happen.''

Harry Jackson, a conservative preacher from Beltsville, Maryland, once again trying to force his militant, religious agenda on the citizens of Washington. The DC segment of his ''army'' has filed paperwork for a voter referendum on the issue of same-sex marriage.The DC City Council has already voted overwhelmingly to recognize same-sex marriages performed outside of the District, and indications are that the Council plans to fully legalize marriage for gay men and lesbians as soon as it is politically viable. Yvette Alexander of Ward 7 thinks it should be up to the voters to decide because she thinks District residents will support same-sex marriage as she has. The Washington Post reports that Jackson will have until early July to collect signatures from 5% of registered voters, which would be 21,000 signatures. (Washington Post)