Vote moves gay issues into black community

'Armageddon of the marriage debates'
Barry wasn't the only one using such strong rhetoric.

"I am convinced that this is going to be the Armageddon of the marriage debate," said Harry Jackson, a black bishop who has organized rallies opposing gay marriage and has been a national voice for conservative Christians on the issue.

Jackson, who lives in Washington and leads a church in Beltsville, Md., said he plans to lead a multiracial group of pastors from around the country to Capitol Hill this week to urge lawmakers to intervene in D.C.'s decision.

Congress has until July to review the measure. If it takes no action, the legislation becomes law automatically and could be a step toward allowing gay marriages to be performed in Washington — an effort the D.C. Council intends to take on later this year.

Despite Barry and Jackson's claims, there's evidence the city isn't as split on gay marriage as some suggest. Of the 12 council members who voted in favor of the gay-marriage bill, six are black.

A group of Democrats in the primarily black ward that Barry represents voted 21 to 11 to support same-sex marriage legislation over the weekend. And Washington has a history of supporting gay rights; the city passed a law in 1992 recognizing domestic partnerships.

Accusations against critics
Local gay advocates have accused critics of framing the debate as one led by rich, white gay men forcing the issue on working class black residents.

"They're trying to whip up hysteria and use race and class issues to divide the city," said Michael Crawford, who is black and chairs the advocacy group D.C. for Marriage.

Meanwhile, a multiracial group of gay and straight D.C. pastors are drafting a letter in support of gay marriage and urging respectful dialogue. Other gay advocates are distributing pamphlets and holding discussions to educate people on why they think it's important that gays have the same protections as straight, married couples.

It's difficult to know how the issue would fare today in Washington if put to a popular vote — as opponents would like. A 2006 poll of likely D.C. voters found most would oppose an initiative defining marriage as between a man and woman. White residents were most strongly against such an initiative, but 49 percent of blacks were for it.

For Shaun Allende, 27, a D.C. resident who will be at the city's annual Black Pride event this weekend, marriage has little do with the wedding ceremony.

"It's about the rights and privileges that people who fall in love and make that commitment are garnered when they are married," said Allende, who is black and Hispanic.

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