Norton Geared Up to Protect Gay Marriage Recognition Proposed By DC Council (5/4/09)

Norton Geared Up to Protect Gay Marriage Recognition Proposed by D.C. Council

May 5, 2009

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today congratulated the D.C. City Council on its passage of a marriage equality amendment that recognizes gay marriages formed in other states, expressing the will of the majority of the citizens of this city. "District residents are known for their strong belief in equal rights coming out of their long experience in a jurisdiction that was segregated by the United States Congress, and for their tolerance, even when they have disagreements on issues," Norton said. "While it is always wise to be strategic on matters that come before Congress, I do not believe that a serious attempt to overturn the Council bill will be made or would be successful."

Norton, a former chair of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, has long been a champion of human rights for all people, particularly the gay, bi-sexual, lesbian, and transgender community, which "experiences more open and deliberate discrimination than any other group in the United States today," Norton said. "The Constitution envisions the recognition of state action across state lines to hold our country together," Norton added. "This constitutional principal is especially important to family life, whatever its origin."