''Although opposition by some in the House already has been announced, I believe Congress will and should defeat opposition to gay marriage rights in the District of Columbia as enacted by the District's own elected officials. Opposition to civil rights is not new. We should approach the rights of gay couples and families with the same resolution and results as we had for others who have sought their human rights in Congress and in the District.''

Statement from Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton responding to the announcement by DC Councilmember-At-Large David Catania that he will introduce a bill to fully legalize same-sex marriages in Washington, DC. The City Council recently passed a bill to recognize marriage performed legally in other states, but had been holding off on the prospect of allowing marriages of gay and lesbian couples to be performed in the District itself. The US Congress, unfortunately, still has complete say over what happens within city's limits, so if the bill is approved (which is highly likely), Congress could cave in to pressure from social conservatives and block the District from allowing same-sex marriage. Congress did allow the earlier bill to pass without objection, but it is always feared that there will be a backlash against the District in the form of reduced "home rule" and manipulation of the city's budget and funding. Norton has consistently supported the gay community, and remains the only recognized Federal representative that the District's 600,000 residents have, but she has not been granted any type of vote in Congress. An attempted deal that would have allowed her a vote in the House of Representatives disintegrated earlier this year under the pretense of conflicts with Constitutional law. (Norton.House.gov)