An attempt by gay marriage opponents in DC hit a snag when the District's elections board told them it can't go on the ballot.
A measure to let voters decide whether to ban same-sex marriages in D.C. cannot go on the ballot because it would violate a city human rights law, the Board of Elections and Ethics ruled Tuesday.
The D.C. City Council is expected to approve gay marriage next month, but opponents wanted voters to weigh in.
The elections board said allowing residents to vote on a ban would conflict with the city's 1977 Human Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination.
In other words--in DC, basic human rights are not something that can be put up for a vote. However, the referendum's supporters aren't going down fighting.
Bishop Harry Jackson, a pastor from the Maryland burbs and leader of "Stand for Marriage DC," claims that this move is a slap at democracy.
"The Home Rule Charter tells us that we should have the same rights as the DC Board of Elections and as the DC City Council," Jackson contends. "In other words, if they can vote on something, we can vote on something. If they can initiate a law, we should be able to initiate a law, as what is done in Maine and California."
Jackson also appeared on The 700 Club earlier today:
Um, Bishop? News flash--any laws initiated by this process have to pass the same muster as other laws.