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 that was passed by the D.C. Council on December 15, allowing same-sex couples to marry. After the bill was signed, it went through a required review period in Congress lasting 30 work days. After this period, marriage licenses became available on March 3, and the first marriages took place on March 9, 2010. At that time, the District of Columbia became the first place in the United States below the Mason–Dixon line to allow same-sex couples to marry.

The District has also supported other ways for couples to have legal relationships. Since 2002, people have been able to enter into registered domestic partnerships. A law passed in 2009 allowed the District to recognize civil unions and domestic partnerships from other places that give couples the same rights and responsibilities as marriage. The mayor has the power to decide which relationships from other states to recognize, depending on the benefits they provide.

Domestic partnerships

Domestic partnerships in the District of Columbia are available to both same-sex and opposite-sex couples. One special rule is that related people, like siblings or a parent and adult child, can register as domestic partners if they are both single. Couples who register as domestic partners have the same rights as family members and spouses. This includes visiting each other in the hospital or jail and making decisions about the other’s care or property after they pass away.

The rules for domestic partners have grown over time. They can get health insurance through their partner’s job, take time off work for the birth or adoption of a child, or care for their partner. They can also make funeral plans for their partner. These rights were added step by step over many years, giving domestic partners more of the same rights as married couples, though not all.

Same-sex marriage

Dean v. District of Columbia

In 1995, two men asked the District of Columbia Court of Appeals for a marriage license. The court decided that the District's marriage rules did not allow same-sex couples to marry, even though the rules did not mention gender. The court said this decision did not break any laws about fairness or equal treatment.

Recognition of out-of-state marriages

In April 2009, the District decided to recognize same-sex marriages from other states. This change was approved by leaders and signed into law by Mayor Adrian Fenty. Some people tried to stop this law, but the courts said it was okay because it followed the District's rules about fairness.

Religious Freedom And Civil Marriage Equality Amendment Act 2009

In October 2009, leaders in the District introduced a bill to allow same-sex couples to marry. The bill was approved by the leaders on December 15, 2009, and signed by Mayor Fenty on December 18. After a waiting period, same-sex marriage became legal on March 3, 2010. The first same-sex marriage in the District happened on March 9, 2010.

Court challenges

Some people tried to challenge the new law in court, but the courts agreed that the District's leaders followed the rules when they approved same-sex marriage.

Economic impact

A study in 2009 said that allowing same-sex marriage could help the District's economy by over $52.2 million over three years. This would create new jobs and bring in more money for local government.

Demographics and marriage statistics

In 2000, about 3,678 same-sex couples lived in Washington, D.C. By 2020, there were about 4,420 married same-sex couples and 3,632 unmarried same-sex couples in the District. These couples were often younger, more educated, and had higher incomes than other couples. Some same-sex couples were also raising children.

Public opinion

In 2017, a survey found that 78% of people living in the District of Columbia supported marriages between people of the same sex, with 17% against and 5% unsure. When looking at the larger Washington area, which includes parts of nearby Virginia, Maryland, and West Virginia, 69% supported it. By 2021, support in D.C. grew to 86%, the highest in the United States, with Massachusetts close behind at 85%.