Lambda Legal Congratulates D.C. Leaders, Residents on First Day of Marriage Equality

(Washington, D.C., March 3, 2010) — As the District of Columbia today opens civil marriage to lesbian and gay couples, Lambda Legal issued the following statement from National Marriage Project Director Jennifer C. Pizer:

"We are inspired and proud that the District of Columbia is providing an important example for our country as a whole by joining the ranks of states that honor the full humanity and dignity of all their residents. As did residents of Massachusetts, and more recently Iowa, New Hampshire, Connecticut and Vermont, those who live in Washington, D.C. now will have the chance to wonder what all the fuss was about as they see first-hand that allowing same-sex couples to marry doesn't endanger or harm anyone else. Instead, all of society is strengthened when every family is accorded the same equal respect under law. We call on elected and community leaders coast-to-coast to follow the principled example of the D.C. City Council and work to end the exclusion of same-sex couples from marriage in their states."

The marriage equality measure passed overwhelmingly at each of the two required legislative votes before becoming law.

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