The Council of the District of Columbia heard from hundreds of people today who signed up to share their opinions on a measure that would legalize gay marriage. Because so many wanted to speak, the Council will hold a second day of hearings Tuesday.
Local pastors are demanding the Council allow D.C. citizens to vote on the issue. Council members say it's a civil-rights issue that doesn't need to be on the ballot.
Derek McCoy, a member of Stand for Marriage D.C., said a final decision on a ballot measure would be made by the Board of Elections.
"They could very well put it on the ballot, or they could deny it, which we suspect they probably will," he said. "You've got to remember, the City Council appoints the Board of Elections."
The ballot initiative was filed by a coalition of pastors and community leaders, including Bishop Harry Jackson of Hope Christian Church in Maryland.
Jackson said the text is simple and defines marriage as between one man and one woman.
"The D.C. City Council has stated that their intention is to redefine marriage by going beyond recognizing homosexual marriage performed outside the District to advocating for them to be performed in the District," he said. "The initiative would allow the people of the District to decide this important issue, not a 13-person panel."
If the board rules against the request, McCoy said his group will pursue legal action.
"We're going to go to the courts," he said. "Then we will push this issue so the people get the right to vote on this."
