Same-sex marriage in the District of Columbia

Same-sex marriage has been legal in the District of Columbia since March 3, 2010. On December 18, 2009, Mayor Adrian Fenty signed a bill passed by the D.C. Council on December 15 legalizing same-sex marriage. Following the signing, the measure entered a mandatory congressional review of 30 work days. Marriage licenses became available on March 3, and marriages began on March 9, 2010.^[1]^[2] The District of Columbia was the first jurisdiction in the United States below the Mason–Dixon line to allow same-sex couples to marry.^[3]

In addition to recognizing same-sex marriages, the District has also allowed residents to enter into registered domestic partnerships since 1992. Since the passage of the Domestic Partnership Judicial Determination of Parentage Act of 2009, the District has recognized civil unions and domestic partnerships performed in other jurisdictions that have all the rights and responsibilities of marriage. The law gives the mayor discretion to recognize relationships from states with lesser benefits.^[4]^[5]

^ Gresko, Jessica (March 3, 2010). "Same-sex marriage becomes legal in DC". Associated Press. Archived from the original on March 3, 2010. Retrieved March 3, 2010.
^ Steve Hendrix; Joe Heim (March 7, 2015). "Gay couples who wed in 2010 celebrate five years of legal marriages in D.C." The Washington Post. Retrieved March 9, 2020.
^ Chuck Colbert (March 3, 2010). "DC couples obtain marriage licenses". The Bay Area Reporter. Archived from the original on July 10, 2011.
^ Associated Press (July 7, 2009). "Washington, D.C., Recognizes Same-Sex Marriages". New York Times. Retrieved December 1, 2009.
^ Gaynair, Gillian (July 7, 2009). "Gay Marriage Bill Takes Effect in Nation's Capital". Christian Broadcasting Network. Retrieved December 1, 2009.

[APGresko-1] Gresko, Jessica (March 3, 2010). "Same-sex marriage becomes legal in DC". Associated Press. Archived from the original on March 3, 2010. Retrieved March 3, 2010.

[2] Steve Hendrix; Joe Heim (March 7, 2015). "Gay couples who wed in 2010 celebrate five years of legal marriages in D.C." The Washington Post. Retrieved March 9, 2020.

[3] Chuck Colbert (March 3, 2010). "DC couples obtain marriage licenses". The Bay Area Reporter. Archived from the original on July 10, 2011.

[4] Associated Press (July 7, 2009). "Washington, D.C., Recognizes Same-Sex Marriages". New York Times. Retrieved December 1, 2009.

[5] Gaynair, Gillian (July 7, 2009). "Gay Marriage Bill Takes Effect in Nation's Capital". Christian Broadcasting Network. Retrieved December 1, 2009.

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