5. By late 2009, many DC residents were ready to give
marriage rights to gays and lesbians. One large
component of opposition was from religion. As early
as 1986, the Catholic Church took a stance that
homosexuality was not an evil, just their behavior is
not acceptable (Andryszewsky, p. 33). Other faiths,
such as Mormonism and Islam, spoke out negatively
against gay marriage. On the other hand, the
Episcopal Church have actually ordained gay clergy
(Andryszewskyp. 33). In the fight for gay marriage,
religion and supporters would play a great role.
2009: The Fight Begins
6. 2009: The Fight Begins
The D.C. Clergy United for Marriage is a organization where
people of all faiths came together for one particular topic.
On October 29, 2009, people celebrated the idea of marriage
equality at the Asbury United Methodist Church located on
11th and K Sts Northwest. Prior to this meeting, over 200
religious clergy signed the Declaration of Religious Support
for Marriage Equality bill. On this particular night Jewish,
Unitarians, Baptists, and even Catholics gathered together in
prayer, music, dance, and lecture to stand up for their
beliefs.
8. 2009: The Fight Begins
During the 2009National Equality March,
Lady Gaga spoke to the crowds about
equality for all people. While she did not
address the notion of gay marriage
specifically, the tone of this speech certainly
paved the way for talk of same sex marriage
in Washington D.C.
11. 2010: Our Time Has Come
Who’s who of D.C. political figures and
stance on same-sex marriage
Mayor Vincent Gray
Congresswoman
Eleanor Norton
Former Mayor Marion Barry
14. 2010: Our Time Has Come
The first couple: Married at the headquarters of the Human
Rights Campaign, located on Rhode Island Avenue
Northwest, Young would wear a champagne colored
wedding dress that had a full lace skirt. It would be custom
made by a friend. Townsend, on the other hand, would wear
a champagne colored suit. Although Washington D.C. was
was booming with same-sex marriage, not everyone was as
thrilled with the new ruling. On the same day of Young and
Townsend’s March 9th nuptial, the Catholic Charities of the
Archdiocese of Washington announced that they were
reducing health care of gay marriage couples so that they
did not provide coverage to partners.
15. 2010: Our Time Has Come
Churches That
Accept Us
Left: National City
Christian Church
Right:
Georgetown
Lutheran Church
Left: Riverside
Church
Right: St. Mark’s
Episcopal Church
16. 2011-2013: The Journey Ensues
With Washington D.C. making same-sex marriage legal, the
rest of the nation turned their eyes to the other states that
had previously outlawed the bill. Would lawmakers listen
or would they simply turn their backs on the idea of same-
sex marriage?
Our forefathers stated in the Declaration of Independence:
“All men are created equal … [T]hey are endowed by their
Creator with certain unalienable rights, [and] among these
are life. Liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” (Rauch, p.
95). With these words, how could Congress not pursue this
bill for the sake of our fellow citizens?
20. 2011-2013: The Journey Ensues
By Newsweek Magazine, Barrack Obama is considered
the “the first gay president” as he openly addresses
the fact that gay couples have a right to be married in
the United States. He mentions same-sex marriage in
his Inauguration speech stating that he shall not rest
until they are considered equal. He made this bold
statement at the United States Capitol, where about
three years prior Washington D.C. had legalized gay
marriage.
21. 2011-2013: The Journey Ensues
In March 2013, Hillary Clinton expressed her support for same-
sex marriage. This was not the case thirteen year prior when
she stated, “[M]arriage has got historic, religious, and moral
content that goes back to the beginning of time, and I think a
marriage is a marriage has always been: between a man and a
woman” (Gerstmann, p23).
This move was very significant as Bill Clinton signed the
Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) when he was President in
1996. However, seven years later he made a statement: “I
believe that in 2013 DOMA and opposition to marriage
equality are vestiges of just such an unfamiliar society” (The
Washington Post).
23. Resources
Slide 2
Muzzy, F. (2005). Images of America: Gay and Lesbian Washington, D.C. Charlestown: Arcadia Publishing.
The Cultural Landscape Foundation. (2012). Pierre L’Enfant [photograph], April 2, 2013, from http://tclf.org/pioneer/pierre-lenfant.
Kestan. 544 ‘Military Instrvction’ (portion of Baron von Steuben monu) [photograph]; April 2, 2013, from
http://www.kestan.com/dcstock/parks/lafayette/544%20'Military%20Instrvction'%20(portion%20of%20Baron%20von%20Steuben
%20monu).jpg.
Slide 3
Muzzy, F. (2005). Images of America: Gay and Lesbian Washington, D.C. Charlestown: Arcadia Publishing.
Discovery News. (2012). No, Abraham Lincoln Didn’t Invent Facebook[photograph], April 2, 2013, from
http://news.discovery.com/history/lincoln- did-not-invent-facebook-120509.htm.
Truth Wins Out. (2012). A Family History Provides More Proof Lincoln Was Gay [photograph]; April 2, 2013, from
http://www.truthwinsout.org/opinion/2012/11/31824/.
Slide 4
Muzzy, F. (2005). Images of America: Gay and Lesbian Washington, D.C. Charlestown: Arcadia Publishing.
Google Search. Hoover-gay-1-12-10 [photograph]; April 2, 2013, from http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-
tVRLcSHPgNk/Tck9glARJaI/AAAAAAAAC6c/MMPbPIyuYwg/s1600/hoover-gay-1-12-10.jpg.
Slide 5
Andryszewski, T. (2008). Same-Sex Marriage: Moral Good or Civil Wrong? Minneapolis: Twenty-First Century.
Slide 6
Human Rights Campaign YouTube Channel. (2009, November). Soulful Voices for Marriage Equality. Retrieved April 1st, 2013, from
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcgJLyHuPEk&feature=player_embedded
The DC Center. (2009, October). October 29th: Rise a Soulful Voice for Marriage Equality. Retrieved April 1st, 2013, from
http://www.thedccenter.org/blog/mobile/2009/10/october-29th-raise-a-soulful-voice-for-marriage-equality.html.
24. Resources
Slide 7
Wikipedia. (2013, March). National Equality March. Retrieved April 1, 2013, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Equality_March.
Socialite Life. Lady Gaga at the Annual Human Rights Campaign National Dinner and National Equality March 3. Retrieved April 1, 2013,
from http://socialitelife.com/photos/lady-gaga-blesses-the-gays-at-national-equality-march/lady-gaga-at-the-annual-human-rights-
campaign-national-dinner-and-national-equality-march-3.
Slide 8
Talk Radio News You Tube Channel. (2009, October). Lady Gaga Addresses The National Equality March. Retrieved April 1, 2013, from
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yppqCBUd5M.
Slide 9
The Washington Post. (2009, November). Fenty to sign same-sex marriage bill at church in NW D.C. Retrieved April 1, 2013, from
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/17/AR2009121704330.html.
Dcist.com. (2009, December). D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty Signs Gay Marriage Bill. Retrieved April 1, 2013, from
http://dcist.com/2009/12/dc_mayor_adrian_fenty_signs_gay_mar.php.
Examiner. D.C. mayor Adrian Fenty signs same sex marriage equality bill [photograph (number 6)]; April 4, 2013, from:
http://www.examiner.com/slideshow/d-c-mayor-adrian-fenty-signs-same-sex-marriage-equality-biil#slide=8685556.
Slide 10
Standing on the Side of Love. About Standing on the Side of Love [photograph]. Retrieved April 2, 2013, from
http://www.standingonthesideoflove.org/about/.
Standing on the Side of Love. (2013). About Standing on the Side of Love. Retrieved April 2, 2013, from
http://www.standingonthesideoflove.org/about/.
Dcist.com. (2009, December). D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty Signs Gay Marriage Bill. Retrieved April 1, 2013, from
http://dcist.com/2009/12/dc_mayor_adrian_fenty_signs_gay_mar.php.
Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations. (2009). Unitarian Universalist Leaders Applaud Signing of DC Equal Marriage
Legislation [photograph], Retrieved April 1, 2013, from http://www.uua.org/news/newssubmissions/154024.shtml.
25. Resources
Slide 11
National Park Service. Photo of Mayor Vincent Gray [photograph]. Retrieved April 5, 2013, from
http://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/wash/graphics/mayor_vincent_gray2.JPG.
The Business of Federal Technology. (2013). D.C. delegate supports furloughed feds [photograph]. Retrieved April 6, 2013, from
http://fcw.com/blogs/fcw-insider/2013/03/norton-pledges-sequester-support.aspx.
CNN. (2009). D.C.’s Marion Barry arrested again [photograph]. Retrieved April 5, 2013, from
http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/07/05/marion.barry.arrested/.
The Huffington Post. (2012, May). Vincent Gray Thanks Obama For Supporting Same Sex Marriage. Retrieved April 5, 2013, from
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/09/vincent-gray-thanks-obama_n_1503843.html.
MetroWeekly. (2009, October). DC’s Eleanor Holmes Norton backs Same-Sex Marriage bill. Retrieved April 6, 2013, from
http://www.metroweekly.com/news/last_word/2009/10/dcs-eleanor-holmes-norton-back.html.
The Washington Post. (2009, May). Barry Warns of “Civil War” Over Gay Marriage. Retrieved April 5, 2013, from
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/dc/2009/05/barry_warns_of_civil_war_over.html
Slide 12
The New York Times. (2010, May). Gay Marriage Is Legal in U.S. Capital. Retrieved April 1, 2013, from
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/04/us/04marriage.html?_r=1&.
The New York Times. (2010). Gay Marriage Is Legal in U.S. Capital [photograph], Retrieved: April 2, 2013 from:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/04/us/04marriage.html?_r=1&.
Taking Note: The Observatory blog. (2010). Same-Sex Marriage Legal in Washington DC. [photograph]. Retrieved April 1st, 2013, from
http://observatoryblog.com/2010/03/03/same-sex-marriage-legal-in-washington-dc/.
Slide 13
The Washington Post. (2010, March). D.C. gay couple caps a momentous first by tying the knot. Retrieved April 1, 2013, from
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/08/AR2010030804987.html?sid=ST2010030805049.
The Washington Post. (2010). D.C. gay couple caps a momentous first by tying the knot [photograph]. Retrieved April 7, 2013, from
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/08/AR2010030804987.html?sid=ST2010030805049.
About.com: Gay Life. Same-Sex Marriage in the District of Columbia [photograph]. Retrieved April 3, 2013, from
http://gaylife.about.com/od/gaymarriagebyregion/ig/District-of-Columbia/Angelisa-Young.htm.
26. Resources
Slide 14
The Washington Post. (2010, March). D.C. gay couple caps a momentous first by tying the knot. Retrieved April 4, 2013, from
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/08/AR2010030804987.html?sid=ST2010030805049.
The New York Times. (2010, May). Gay Marriage Is Legal in U.S. Capital. Retrieved April 4, 2013, from
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/04/us/04marriage.html?_r=1&.
CNN You Tube Channel. (2010, March). DC’s first same-sex marriage. Retrieved April 4, 2013, from
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDQdFIrrM7Q.
Slide 15
The Washington Blade. (2010, February). Churches: Where to wed. Retrieved April 3, 2013, from
http://www.washingtonblade.com/2010/02/19/churches-where-to-wed/.
National City Christian Church. Historic Church [photographs]. Retrieved April 3, 2013, from http://www.nationalcitycc.org/about-us/history-
2/.
Georgetown Lutheran. About Georgetown Lutheran Weddings [photograph]. Retrieved April 3, 2013, from
http://www.byfaithhopelove.com/GTL/wedding.html.
Riverside Church. Our Church gallery [photograph]. Retrieved April 3, 2013, from http://riversidedc.org/gallery/.
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. Who We Are [photograph]. Retrieved April 3, 2013, from http://www.stmarks.net/who-we-are/about-us
Slide 16
Rauch, J. (2004). Gay Marriage: Why It Is Good for Gays, Good for Straights, and Good for America. New York: Times.
Slide 17
Right Wing Watch. (2013). Ralph Reed’s Group Wants to Cut Grants to the National Cathedral over Gay Marriage [photograph]. Retrieved
April 8, 2013, from http://www.rightwingwatch.org/content/ralph-reeds-group-wants-cut-grants-national-cathedral-over-gay-
marriage.
Washington National Cathedral: Press Room. (2013, January). Washington National Cathedral to Celebrate Same-sex Weddings. Retrieved
April 7, 2013, from http://www.nationalcathedral.org/press/PR-60QF1-3I0018.shtml.
27. Resources
Slide 18
Café Press. Obama Gay Pride Gifts [photographs]. Retrieved April 8 2013, from http://www.cafepress.com/+obama-gay-pride+gifts.
Slide 19
ABC News. (2012). Newsweek Cover: Obama ‘First Gay President’ [photograph]. Retrieved April 10, 2013, from
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/OTUS/newsweek-cover-obama-gay-president/story?id=16338110#.UXnMEY7hGpF.
Slide 20
Your Hot News You Tube channel. (2013, January). Gay Right in Obama’s Presidential Inauguration Speech – Jan. 21, 2013. Retrieved April 6,
2013, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOSqRa7dAiA.
USA Today. (2012, May). ‘Newsweek cover: Obama ‘first gay president’. Retrieved April 1, 2013, from:
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2012/05/obama-newsweek-cover-gay-president-/1#.UWsGn47hGpF.
Slide 21
Human Rights Campaign You Tube channel. (2013, March). Hillary Clinton for HRC’s Americans for Marriage Equality. Retrieved April 4,
2013, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=6RP9pbKMJ7c.
Bill Clinton for the Washington Post. (2013, March). It’s time to overturn DOMA. Retrieved April 10, 2013, from
http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2013-03-07/opinions/37528448_1_doma-defense-of-marriage-act-marriage-equality.
Gerstmann, E. (2008). Same-sex Marriage and the Constitution (2nd ed.). New York: Cambridge University Press.
Slide 22
The Huffington Post. (2013, March). Supreme Court Marriage Hearing Tickets, While Technically Free, Run Up To $6,000 For A Seat.
Retrieved April 9, 2013, from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/25/supreme-court-gay-marriage_n_2950880.html.
The New York Times. (2013). Q. and A.: A Decisive Moment on Gay Marriage [photograph]. Retrieved April 9, 2013, from
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/26/us/background-on-same-sex-marriage-case-at-supreme-court.html.
The Huffington Post. (2013). Supreme Court Marriage Hearing Tickets, While Technically Free, Run Up To $6,000 For A Seat [photograph].
Retrieved April 9, 2013, from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/25/supreme-court-gay-marriage_n_2950880.html.
Editor's Notes
While today’s society has an idea that being gay is a new concept starting in the late 20th century, it can be traced in D.C. as early as the 18th century with none other than Pierre L’Enfant. Hailed as the visionary for D.C. before it even became the great city it is today, he was also known as an “affected” man (Muzzy, p. 7). While this term was used by people of the 18th century, we now know it as the present notion of homosexuality (Muzzy, p. 7). It has been rumored that L’Enfant had a relationship with Baron von Steuben, a general at Valley Forge during the American Revolution (Muzzy, p. 11).The statue of Baron von Steuben, usually found in Lafayette Park, will be temporarily dismantled to be placed in the exhibition. Notice the downward jester of his sword, pointing to the groin of his instructor – many gay historians believe that this could be an illusion to his homosexuality.
While Lincoln had a life-long friendship with Joshua Speed, the two have been known to share a bed on multiple times (Muzzy, p. 15). Historian of Washington D.C. gay and lesbian culture, Frank Muzzy, has even cited that Speed at one point introduced Lincoln and his future assassin John Wilkes Booth to each other (Muzzy, p. 15). While motives for Booth’s assassination of Lincoln are always speculated, could Lincoln’s homosexuality have played a factor? While this may never be proven, maybe poetry written by Lincoln holds the key. He stated: “My Suitor you never Can be / Beside your low crotch proclaims you a botch / And that never Can serve for me” (Muzzy p. 16).
Creator of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, J. Edgar Hoover found a true companion with colleague Clyde Tolson. So much so that when Hoover passed away, he left Tolson his “infamous secret files” (rumored to even contain proof of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt’s lesbian lover) and his entire estate (Muzzy, p. 24). Adding to this speculation is the fact that Tolson is buried in close prominently to Hoover in Arlington National Ceremony, which is normally reserved for military and famous figures in society (Muzzy, p. 24). Also, during Hoover’s private time, it has been known that he liked to dress up in women’s clothing (Muzzy, p. 24).
While the National Equality March was not just a Washington D.C. march for solely marriage, this topic was certainly a large part of protest. Happening soon after the historic California Prop 8 which denied same-sex marriage, protesters took their concern to the nation’s capitol in hopes of bringing to a end gay discrimination. One well-known protester in the crowd was singer Lady Gaga. A large supporter of the gay community, her selling hit “Born This Way” tells her gay listeners that they are perfect human beings with no flaws.
On December 18, 2009, Mayor Adrian Fenty signed the historic bill to allow gay marriage in the District of Columbia. The race to find the perfect site concluded at the last moment as the signing was held at All Souls Unitarian Church in Northwest. The location was significant as it was the church of Rev. Robert Hardies, co-founder of the D.C. Clergy United for Marriage Equality and featured in the Soulful Noise video. Fenty concluded with stating, “We've set the tone for other jurisdictions to follow in creating an open and inclusive city’ (Dcist.org).
“Standing on the Side of Love” loomed over Fenty as he signed the D.C. marriage equality bill. This organization which promotes “harnessing love’s power to stop oppression” focuses on making this world a more loving place for homosexuals (standingthesideoflove.org). While this bill was signed on December 18th, it had to be reviewed by Congress which would take an additional few months. Although this was the case, Congress still had the authority to veto.
This part of my exhibition will be presented as a flip board. Visitors will be able to see photos of notable D.C. figures and be able to lift them up to see his/her stance. Present mayor Vincent Gray, a strong supporter of same-sex marriage, publicly recognized Barrack Obama’s support on Twitter stating “Bigotry should never be enshrined in our law” (The Huffington Post). Congresswoman Eleanor Norton, an long-time supporter of gay marriage, once stated that “[W]e should approach the rights of gay couples and families with the same resolution and results as we had for others who have fought their human rights in Congress and in the District” (MetroWeekly). Former mayor Marion Barry opposed gay marriage in D.C. from the start stating that there are not many gay African Americans. He stated “All hell is going to break lose. We may have a civil war” (The Washington Post).
After three months, gay couples were finally able to apply for marriage licenses. On a gloomy Wednesday, March 3rd, more than 100 couples lined up outside the courthouse in Judiciary Square. While on a normal day the Courthouse processes about 10 marriage licenses, on this special day about 140 were processed in the morning and afternoon alone. The District of Columbia was well on its way to beginning the marriage process, but wedding seekers had to wait another week before the first marriage was underway. An example D.C. marriage license will be on display for visitors.
Once couples were in line for their marriage licenses, they were each given a ticket with a number to represent the order in which they would receive them. This would come to represent the order in which couples would be married the following week. The lucky couple who received the first spot was Angelisa Young and Sinjoyla Townsend, who had been together for 12 years. Meeting in grad school, Townsend used the statement “Every sunflower needs rain to grow. Would you be my rain?” (The Washington Post). They have been together ever since that day and have received matching tattoos to reflect their love for each other.
Like the section of D.C. Congressmen and his/her stance on gay marriage, this portion will also be a flip board letting visitors know which churches are gay marriage friendly.
Although many churches in D.C. have legalized marriage within their own communities, there is no church quite like the National Cathedral that has stirred up more controversy. In January 2013, the National Cathedral released an official statement concerning this matter. “The Cathedral is called to serve as a gathering place for the nation in times of significance, but it is also rooted in its role as the most visible faith community within the Episcopal Church. … We enthusiastically affirm each person as a beloved child of God—and doing so means including the full participation of gays and lesbians in the life of this spiritual home for the nation.” Signs like the one shown above have been circulated around the District in protest of the National Cathedral.
During the 2012 presidential election, President Obama openly supported the gay community. As with every other presidential campaign, merchandise was selling at an all time high. In order to show their own support, the gay community made their own merchandise. These buttons, bumper stickers, and magnets were all examples of how gays showed their continuous support for Obama.
On Monday, March 26, and Tuesday, March 27, the Supreme Court argued the case for and against the legalization of gay marriage for every state and the repeal of DOMA. Out of the 500 seats that are present in the Supreme Court, as few as 60 go to the public. Tickets that were going to the public went given out on Monday, March 25th despite the fact that many people had been camping out five days prior. Those who decided to camp outside, braved the elements of coldness, rain, and snow. This just show their commitment to same-sex marriage – they were in a city that legalized what they believed, should not the rest of the United States also agree? Some items like lawn chairs, umbrellas, etc. will be on view in a collective pile.
