Out-of-state gay marriages become legal in Washington DC

[andy]

[img2=left]http://www.gayspeak.com/forum/images/news/barackobama.jpg[/img2]A law allowing the recognition of gay marriages performed in other states came into effect in Washington DC on Tuesday.

It means that same-sex couples in the district who married in the handful of US states which do allow the practice can now receive more than 200 rights, benefits, and obligations associated with marriage under DC law.

The law came into effect at 12.01am today, when a 30-day Congressional review ended.

It will recognise gay marriages that are conducted within Iowa, Vermont, Connecticut and Massachusetts. Gay marriages have been banned in California following the voter initiated Proposition 8 during the Presidential election.

However, as with states in which gay marriage is legal, couples will not be able to enjoy many of the 1,100 federal rights and benefits given to straight married couples, due to the Defence of Marriage Act (DOMA).

Enacted in 1996, DOMA allows states to reject gay marriages performed in other states and bars gay couples from accessing federal benefits.

In June, President Barack Obama signed a memorandum to extend federal benefits for partners to same-sex couples but critics have said the move will not be permanent, won't include healthcare and will not be applied to those serving in the military.

[marshlander]

One small step. So much still to do.

[fjp999]

One small step. So much still to do.

maybe after saving the world

[marshlander]

Maybe. It's a tough call.

[yar]

Knowing the USA they will keep on trying.

[soulfulldove]

it's a step and it's going in the right direction. similar steps in states have been increasing in the past few years. i hope for the best and hope Obama will try to do more for gays nationally.

[fredv3b]

Does anyone know what practical difference it means to gay couples who got married in state that conducts gay marriages but now live in DC, and are not employees of DC City Council? I.e. in practice is it just the DC City Council recognising its own employees spouses with regards to employment benefits?

Anyway from what I read it was only a test balloon to see how Congress reacted (in this case barely) with view to future legislation allowing gay marriages to be conducted within the District.