Court Strikes Challenge To D.C. Gay Marriage Law

WASHINGTON - D.C.'s highest court has ruled against opponents of the city's same sex-marriage law, saying they cannot ask voters to overturn it.

Opponents had wanted to challenge a law that took effect in Washington in March allowing same-sex couples to marry. They attempted to get approval to put an initiative on the ballot asking city voters to define marriage in the city as between one man and one woman. But city officials balked, saying a district human rights law barred initiatives that would authorize discrimination.

On Thursday, the D.C. Court of Appeals court ruled 5-4 that officials had the authority to keep the measure off the ballot and acted appropriately.(Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
WASHINGTON - D.C.'s highest court has ruled against opponents of the city's same sex-marriage law, saying they cannot ask voters to overturn it.

Opponents had wanted to challenge a law that took effect in Washington in March allowing same-sex couples to marry. They attempted to get approval to put an initiative on the ballot asking city voters to define marriage in the city as between one man and one woman. But city officials balked, saying a district human rights law barred initiatives that would authorize discrimination.

On Thursday, the D.C. Court of Appeals court ruled 5-4 that officials had the authority to keep the measure off the ballot and acted appropriately.

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