Counsel for Referendum Proponents - Brian Raum, ADF Senior Attorney and David New, Legal Comment on...

8/14/2019 Counsel for Referendum Proponents - Brian Raum, ADF Senior Attorney and David New, Legal Comment on the P

1/12

Junc 9,20()9

Vavc Ilineth J McGhicCencral Counsel'S()ristrict of Coluttbia 13oald cf tticct:olls and EthicsOnc JBdiciai Sqttarc441 4th Stt,N. V,Suitc 27()Washington,DC 200()1

RE: A Rettrcnd m Conce ingJury ttd Marrtagc ARIcndlllcnt Ad of 2(oard tteing at 10:3()a ill oVCdncsday,une l(),2009Dctt Mr McGhttc:

Thtlcttcr will scast)Rcfcrcndttl proponcnts'l mcBloraFBdusupprtillg`tAR c t t r c n t l u t t C o n c c r j l i n g t h c 3 u t t a n d M a r r i a t t A t t e n d l n e n t Al c d w i t h t h c D i s t roF Colutllbiaoard oF Elcctions antl ttthics ott May 27,20()91 Background Of ttle PIoposcd Referclldum

Thc Counc1l of hc Disict of Colunta passed thc Jury and rriagecndmcnt Act of2()09,Act No 8(1070(thc t`Act01l May 50(,9,by a votc of 12 to l with Councilmcmbcrrion 8arry castlng thc lortc votc againstthc Act Tllc Actas signcd byayorlanFty Oa May 6,2009,and transt1littcd toUnitcd States Congrcss o4ay ll,2()()9Follo;g tttc requtrcd pertod of rcvlcby thc Uttited Statcs Conttss,tllc Act ts scllcled tobccolnc effectFC 01l July 6,2009 cA to add a n3C SCCt10n to tllc D C Codc,ScctiOn 1287a,providl lcg4RlICCO 10 sanlescx(lllarriagcs"cntcrcd into in otttrf sdiCtios,u cd to

proPo d rcfcrcEld,thc Actvol1ld ttso dlllcnd(he consanguinity prov:sion ill ttc Districtisarila statutD C COdes46401,lo nlake thc list of marrjatts voldgcndcr ttcutralattd alllcntt ccrt4idisclosttre provis:onsin D C Codc s 47-1805 04 pcrtaining)tllc rclease oftanftlrmat:oO tlltttitcd Statcs Dist=ct C01:rt for thc DistrictColbia

Tha Act providesn pertincnt art:r The Refcrend*mProponenrsreBishopHarry R. Jacksol,Jr., Rev.Wa:terE. Faunhoy, lr.Patricia ohnson,Melvin Dupree,Sandras-Harris, lobbyperkins,Sr.,andRev.Da.!e . Wafer.

80 C STRE3T SE 509 STO DC 20001 P13NE 20 6374610 k202347 3622 wlB WiVWTEL ORG


2/12

A Referentium oncerningheJuryandMarriageAmendment ct of 2009June ,2(Xi9Page oi l2

A ttardagc ttgally cntcrcd inionother!unstion bcccR 2 pcrsons o f t llesalllc scx tis rccognizcd as va:Id in that!uriSdiCtion,that is ROt cXPlcsSIyprohtbitcd by scction83 through scctior1 1286,and has llo`bccn deelIIc(1illc_tal undei sectiol1 1287,sha:l be recogn;zcd as a marriagc in tIIc ttist[ict

J u r y a n d M a r r t a t t A l l l c n d t t c n ttof 2 ( ) 0 9 , A c t N o 1 870( M a y 5)09)Thc Act docs no41c3al:ze sa11lccx ttmarr;agcn3=rcsidcnts of tlle DiHt,but only

tS iCll3tn to sucL`raanttsfttn otllcrjsdlctiOns i hts, Act crctttcs tllctcntiblc sti()nhcrctstrict rcsidcn()ntiBuc to odhcrc to thc long held underanding ofmariagc a iy bctwccn a lllan and a won,bttt fottinaHia ,from outsidc thc Disti:ct,nced not ad to this ttndcrstandingOn 4ay 271 2(9)thc Prol)onts l1lctt d PropOSed rcttrcndulll with thc District O,Collllnbioa oFlcctions and Ethics(thcOard)cntitiCd,4tA Rettreullnccmin3 thcJttry and Marr:agnlcndment Act o2(9''(thcrcttdulll.WttCh scs to sc tvotCIs thc qucstion of whctter of thc stttct suld rccognize sattc,scxlpaiagcsfttm othcF

d i C t i O n s T h c n c x t d a y , M a y 2 8 , ) 9 , t h c a r d s c l l t a l e t t e r t o t t i s h o P t t a r r y lnllillg hin thttt a hcarin3 0n the ReferendRIEll had bccnlltativcty schcdl11for l():30dm On Vcdncsday,unc 10,2001) Thc ictttr fu=llcr intormed Bishop Jacks()n tllat if hcishcdlo Stlblllit acln()randunl in sppo of fhc Rcfcrcttdulll,llc sllould dso by 410()P III onTueday,Junc 9,2(()9 BtshoP JackSOn attd all thc ProPoncntS C01lcctivcly ttlc tllisCnOrandulll cxphin g thc puOSo Of Rcfcrclldun and dclonstrang ttttthc Rcferendllp t t s c n t s a l t n p c l s u b l c c r b r t h c r c f c r c n d u t t p r o c c s s a l l d s h o u l d b c a p p r o v

II Thc PllPosc Of thc ProPoscd RefcrcttdunThc vo crs ofthc D:strict()f C01 btt havc tte ttPoVCr of dircctcgilation'C(1,rrpF!

C r.7F CrFr r 6o FJ rfs rFt41l A 2d 88 ,7(9C 981)They SP3 ;cai:y hav thc ttght Of frclDdin,which a1lows a y grop of Dis ctvotcrs to pta93 a law passcd by the COurlcin ld antt i nsithatthc l aw oIy 30 1nto cf fectifi tis ap provby a malori r 'stricfs vorS D C Codcsl-204101(b)TttiS PrOcCSSjnsurtasat ttc vos dec:wllat they llhink is bestrt Disfrlct D C Code s,=24_1()4

ThC tf rctrcnd um uttqu tty OwiSf thC dCCtOIate tt vttccectty ntincntsan lllakc tllscn:llcllt pub!tpolicy`Jurius Hn,Coultc:l or tfio Distric`of C()lu131bia,Meloranduin oll thcitivc a nd Rendt t m A c t , a t l , 3 (n 3 , 1 9 7 7 ) M o r c O V C r , t h i s r itts t o b c ` ( l i b c r t l l l y c o n s t led"l r2r )442da 913, e R c r c n d u f t t r c d b y s h o p c k s o n a l l d h i s f e l l o w p r o p o n c n t R I R s t t s c n d t h e

questlon ofc:hcr thc Disttict silould recognizcmcsex`tlllar:agcs t`O thc Dis(ct's vOtcrslf thcotl appr()vcs thc RcfcrclBdllm)vors,rathcr thaa tlle thirtccn mcrllbers of thcCouncit of thc District C():urnbia,itl dccidehether thc Dtstricholl:dhcre to the long hsld


3/12

A Rcrrcndum Concerning thc ry and 4arriagc Ancndmcnt rrt Of 2(9ne 9,2009Pagc 3 of 12

dci :t;on of IIarritLttC aS beillg a lcgat ldnion beSvctn tL ttan and a vo an ratter tllan deferrin3thc las ofOcr statcs and countrics on this critica:issucThc P,0,onclltS bclicvc that lttarriagc is inhcrcntiy andtlanclltally thc union oF a ttanand a w()la conccpdceplyInbcddcd in thc taljr:c oBr socicty This histtric understandingorllnan.agc is ttot rootc bigotry,hatred ci discrilnattolut iacr oallco!ogiarldsocial reality tllat cldrett necd both a mothcr and a fttllcr 7tlle NeYo=Cotllt orpcaistttcd in its lalldmark cttc uplng Ncw York's malliagc las:lhC tradol dcitlon of marttagc tlot nlcly a byrodua or histOricAIlluStCC Its ttstory is of arcnt ktndThc idca tllat sainc sex nlttrTi 8 :S CVcn Pos ible is a rclativcly rc v on Ulltil aft decedcs ago,;t wa an acolpted trtl for a!OSt CF` cr i:vcd)inly socicty tnttich rnarrlagc cx:stcd,that thcrc could bc nlriag only bctccnparticipantf diflcrcnt s3x A coBrt sho81d not li311tly concluthatvcryoncwho llcFd this bclleF Hs:rratloHlal,1_hIIloranr bigoled c do nolsoonc!tldc

rrrFt24t tt,7 N Y 3d338,362oN Y 2()()6)Tc ttistrict ttas always lllat1 14atttcd thc undcrs tandil13at rnarriagc..is inhcrcntiy a lBtalcIcrnalc rclarlonship lcrC,rFt,653A26307,313(D,C,1995)Thoutllat vichas,ccn challc.ngcd overthc ycars,thc Councll anS the couits havc constcntlydclctl thc tradtttional fraork of ttarriagFor instance,in 1975,CouncllmcmbcrAttngt011 xOn in oduccd 1pc:q a attS bo ccn pc (s of thc salllc sCX rrJa t 3 1 l T h c b t i l g e l l c r a t c d a ` ` c n t d c b a t c ' n d h e C O m c i i p c r t t a d c d D t t x o n t o w i t hw t h cb;1l Ft7 1kcisc,in 1995,two nien sucd thc Diict fOr rcfBng to issuc t:nl a marriagcccns dt 3(Thc k)urt of APpcaISCCd 11lcn's cha1lcnge,arttinatno

l c g i l a t l l i c r o r t ) : s t r i ct O f C o l u m b

Co n 8 S S O r C O u n c l l

ha s c v c r i l l t c n d c d t t s a n c t i o nl CX,1ltrtaocs at 318Vct twclvc of thc thirtccn lBlettbcrstlle Council of 111isttict Of COlurnbia rcadttyabadoncd th:song llcld undcrstalldirlg of=rriagcllay 5,9,vit almost no dcbatcprovisiOs rciating to thc rcco8HitiOn of samccx.arriagcs'erc tacoll t0 3 bill ratilltt k)thc disclosurc ofthc)istrict's tax infotion and thcn hastily passcd as Part Ofthc COuncti's

COllSCnt agGnda a packago o typically uncon r v c rs i al 11, c( :dcrcd o thcr w; outOtteCt10n Thc bill initi41ly Passo(l withoany diusslon and no disscnting vOtcs Only attcrCoundlmcBlcI 4ariOn Barry rcalizcdhat had haPpcnand noved for recsiderationttstrc any dcba vcn ther rbatc abot rttc rccognitlol1 0f stte_sex`tFnagcs''lastthl l l c r c l o r t y m i t c b c g n n i n g a t a b O u t l l : 2 ( ) a n a l l d c n d i n 3 a t o n T h c C o t t a c l l n v o t c d1 2 t o l t o t t c o g n ; z c s t t m c s c x t i n i a g c H C c u n c t i l n c m b c r M o n B a r t t c a s l l n g t h c scdisscnting vote D C Councti Votcs 12^i to Rcc03'liZC Otllcr States'Gay Fiagcs,Ftt Fr(May 5)2()09),ava attc at&s wttottQttCo I)(lttl() Gast viSitCd Junc 9,09)


4/12

A RcScrcndl111l Conccrlling tllc Jttry andfa_gc Puttcndmcnt tt of 2009Juno 9,200Pagc 4 of12

1 short,thc dcc:slon tojcttisott thc rt5undatlonal dcttnitloB ornarttagc bctwccn a manand a woman vas Bot CFl thc carc and concern it dettrves This Refere dFln seeks to rcmedytllis pH3blcm by aHowin3 thC VOtc 6f thc District thc OPPorttnity to ful!y discuss thc isstlc and(FccicR r ttcrllsclv s whcttcr tllc Distr `shou!d abaFldoll its lon `::ng onccpt of ttarnagcBlloP JackSO and llis fcllo v proPoncntS bClicvc thc will of t,vc c FnClllbcrs or tll cOunc 1shotlid hot dctc=ne thc fatc oFlllarriagc ili thc D:stricti thc collectweill of tllc votcrS ShOuldThis Rcrcrcndun Pttts thc dccisiobout thc rccognitlon of sanccx(.InaHtattcs"bac(lll thcllands of thc volcrShcrc it bcionl

III. Thc Pr scd RPresctts a P`ttper StlbJct"Fol thcRettrenduln PrOcesAtthc SIIne l()hcaritllC L3oard will cotderhcthcr thc proPoncntSctcrcttdljn is a

propcrtjlccl a rctticndunl undcr Titlc ttVttt District's SclovcrttIP.cnt tttdGovcnIItt Roorgallizatio C Codesl 11(POpularly known asthHollleRurc Acf)Pa thC dclcrlllination will rcst on whcthcr ttc llleasurcatlthoritts Or wouidhavc thc clooatthorizing,djs inttajo plohibitcd by lllc District()f Columbia IIumallRights Act of 1977,D C Codcs2 1401`()1 ? DC HRA ),DoC COdc s l 1001 16(b)(1)The PR)Ponellts Rrendum satisflcs all cse critcria and,th4sis apfoper suttcct''rOrrctcndtllll to bcccptcd by the 8oard.

A Thc RettTc um ts Propcr Suttcct'Undcr Tide IV ofthc I:olncRlllc Act

Tic ttV oft ttorllc RcA tts thc Dis:ct Chart It(tcstablish 2Paro Forn of VCrnnlcr thc Distdct of Columbwtth an dcctcd Councd Mayor,and ajudttsysteni calshcy 3"grcss in 19711'DIsr/t"crFtrfts&601A2d3,14( C 1991)1 ltiC IV also ttaddrcsscs thC Distrisudgct process ascll as finarlctal ttana3cFnCnt P01iCtcs arld rcsPonsib itics and borro viBB a thOrity,bollds alldotcS.and thc indcpcrld cnt agcnc:" Ld

For tt prOPod rcttrendcasure to bc a(tpropcr sublcct''undcr TItic lVlust nottly attcnd thctttrictJ Chartcrchan stmcturf)vccnt anprocedurcalld icslBonSibilltics asSgncd by tttt Chartcror r:atc to`CappropriattnlldS)r`rF at 1214 MorcGVCrithc tttlllust r yct httc bc )mc law.D C CodcSl-204102o)(2)

Thc:)roPOllentscfcrcndur.l in Vloy touches on thc strucrc or procctlttlcs fOrgovcrlcllt CStabl:sttctt bytttc IV ofthc Homc Rulet lnstcad,(hc RefercndBIn provtdcsthc votcrs ofthc District Of Colunia thc oppOrtunity to dccidccthcr ttte District sllouldrccogni%c samccx(!ntes''ccd into in olhcriuttsdtCtiOns or whcther thcisrict shouldld k)its l()ngillg colll.tcnt to rca).I:zc()rra.s bctccn onc ntatt anncoan Nctther the strtlcturc ntlr thc proccdurcs orthtsttictOVCrnncnt as sct o in thctlcarc lplicdtcd by thc Rcfcrcxldun


5/12

A Retrcndun Con rning thulyd 4arrtatt AndBncnt Att of 29P.c9,2(X)9Pagc 5 o[12

Morcvcr.thc Act docs not ielatc to(ts appropttating ftLrlds)DC ;c s t204101(b)t ThC D sttict of Cumbia Cottlt tf Appcds has htelprcted s ttpropatingfLIndStO rcitr to`nc discrctlonary proccss byh:ch icnucs are identittcd and allocatedamonnlPcting prograns and activitics',DfFICs&Fr7rCS,648A.2d675,6770C1994), ltr2ss ,6()l A 2d at19 Thc Rctticndunl docsnot interttreith thc collcction or ailocation OCVCnncs 'lhc Coulcil's 41 illlpdci stamentrcgardil13 thc Act provitlcs thatlc icgislatlon rcqtircsaddttionai funds or stafRcportlhc Coit9oPRlbttc Safthtythcdiciaryisct Of c01unb:a Coul,at 4(Mar0,2009) hC Act passd by the Coundl wo d3ratt lc3al rOn tt Samccxnattagcsfroothcrjurisdictionit would not idcntior a1locatc rcvcnues

Thc Act has alycttO bcco:&W t was translrtittcd tO thc Unitcd Starcs Congrcss on4ay ll,X9,and it ts not sct4o l)cCOnic cffcct:vc until July 6,2()09 Proponts'fllcd theRcgcrcndum on WFay 27,2009, vcll in advancc ofthc cllttvc datc of thc A Accor ingry,thcRthttlenln is aProper sublccfr tllc rcfcrcttdum ps undcr Titlc IV oheoc RulAct

B. Th Rettrendull Satisacs tlle Rcllaaining Critcria for a propcrRcftendunlTttc ad oal ur grttnds cstattshcd by D C Codc s l ,11611j)(1) rctcm3whethcr BishO,Jactts()n s ndllBl is a pttper s cctr thc r duln proccss ca os&(1lcd First,PropOncnts fllcd thc vcri cd statcmcnt()f contribttins rcqHircy D C Codcss 310204a11102()6 DC Codcsl()()1,16(b)(1)(0.SccoProponc subttitttd iRcLInain pro per ttII n D C C odc$100116()(1)(3)C Rcferttdutt hduded trequisttrte and thc sttmmary statcmcntof tlot l1lolc in l()()ords,and desttnatcd.(thc act or patt thereonhich a rcttrcndulll isrD C Codcsl Ilj01 16(a)(1)PpOncats aiso acconlpanicd tcttrcndulll with anafeldavit listing thctr nancs and artttes and attl,1g thcil stttus 3ttrc3iS(ercd qlittedclcctor!ofthe DistOfC01umbia )D C Codcsl-1()()116(a)(Thild,PttPoncllts Rcfcrelldun docs nOt Legate Or liit' Bud3ct Requcst Act passcdby thc Counci:.D C Codcsi( !16(b)(1) )) hC Suttec ofthe Rcfercndum is a BudtttRqucst Act;rat'lcl,thc subjcc`is tllc Act PasSCd by the Counc i rclating to thc rccogniti()n ofsalsox ttitAnariaercd intothcrrisdiCtions As establ:shcd abovc,:10tlll3in hcAct pcrtaills to thc idclltincatior alcation of revcntlcsll la ll yhc Rcferettunl d()cs nOtttaur12C[1,Orttc ttc cfttctthndiscHlllinat:on prohited by ttc DCRA D C Cod :00161b)(1)(D)Thc DCIIRA wns

pascd irn 1977 ftjr thc PurPO()f:tSCritttglCnd in lllcstrict of Co!uIia lo discaorlr any rcasollolcr than that or individual RiCrit,cluding,but not limited tO,discritltiOn byrcasoll of racc,color,rcligion,natiol ogirl,scx,agc,Inarital status,PcrSOnal


6/12

A Reierendum oncerningheJuryandMarriageAmendmentActof 2(X)9June9, 2009Page of 12

appcarancc,scxual ortcntarion,faly resPonsibiliti,matriculatlon)liticalaftation,dttability,source of incoIIlc,aIPlaCf rcsidcrlcc or busincssD C Codcs2-:4()101

e ttCRA cxcnds oniv to an illdividtlalis tlctlttal opportunitypartictpatc ly intl ccononic,c 1 ral ttd intcllca al litt of c Dt cr"D C Codes2- 402 )l lr cOvcFSdiscrininatiOn t.in cmp10ynlcnt,1placcs otiblic accmodatiolt.rcsort or anlusclllcnt,incdcatio& institutions,in ptlblI:ce,antl tn llo!llg alld comlllcrcial sP41ceaCC01Odlons C Codcs2-140201

Thc Counctt amcndcd tcDC lr Oa to daritt its application to thc Disct's30VerBIllCdCdaring:

ExccP1 25 0rhCrwiprov13cd for by D,st12w or wolrwc:aw_fu]:ttdrcasonably PcllllittCtt shallarl uaWful discrtminatory practicc rtjr a D:strtctg VCrn lCnt agcncy or of cc to ltlitt or rcftise Lo P10VidC any faclll y,scr icc,PrOgran,ol bcncto any individuOll thc basis Of an individual's actutt orpsttcivracc,oo,orelig:9n,ottn,scx,agc,maritalus,pcrlapPCar411Ce,scxlla1 0ricntatlo ,gcndcr idcntity or exPrcSSiOB,fall i;tal status,f: rcspon1litics,sttb:y,atricula(lopolirical atttitattosourCC OfincOc,or piacc of rcsiderice or bncss

D C Codcs2-14()273tr . TheDistrict f Columbia ourt f App*als asalreadyruled hat he efusal o recoglizesame-scxmariages"docsno tviolatc hcDC-HRA.

,3:1fFCdiscrilllinad in Vlolatlon orthcHI by rcfustng tO issuc a ttattiagc liccnsc to a sc scx9 9 u p l c F r r a t 3 0 9 1 h c c O u r t h c lh t t t r l c c l c r kr c na l w a s c o l l s i s t c n t w i t h D CR A b e c a u s c rlnar: elthqircs P s OfOppOsitc sexes' d thc COu 11 nleWrintendcd lo clBnge thdintty mcanil13 01heOrd`marnage'stmply by enactin8thCH at320.rcttchittg its concluoll,thc court cxamincdhat the Unttcd Statcs(3onttrCsS

inttndcd by thc wotQ attiag llcll it lclcd ttc Disrict's marljagt ttatutc jn 19(,l Thcc()urtc:uded that the history of thtatutcents a lctts]atiVe understanding thatlriagc,as undcrstOod by Congrcss atthe timc oflllnd Cnactttcnt and thcrcan,ls inhcrcntly a: A copy ol'thcDeundecisionwith thepertinonl ortions nderlineds aracheclor the Board'sretcrcncc,


7/12

A Rcfcrcn(1ll Conccrnin3 the jury and arittagccnd41ent Act o4 2009June 92(X)9Pagc 7 or12

111a lc alc rclattO ipr)r a 313 Likc visc ttthc co n SO Cictal ndcrstallding oflnriagc,icd frl rcgal aII,in4ry dicoIrycllnonssr1 last cctlrr tintil lotjayprCSuFposcs a hctcloscxual unlorat 318;s?tt Vat 315(rdinatt undcrstttding ofthctl l`ttriagcbOth ttt the ttlrn Gf thc ccrlturyhcn t arriagc statutcas cJlactcd andi modcnl tincs CanS tllc B1lon oftwo nlclA3bcrs ofttc OppOsitc scx)

Thc passag oCthe DC-1:Rr lll i 977.according to thc cOurtid nothito Chan3C thCfllndamcntal dettnition oflnarriagc)r establishcd by lllc titcd Statcs Con8ress in 1901 rtt at320 `ad thth Couttcil intcndc)cttect stch a nr deini60mal chttgcotci to comlllonndcrstanding,vc wld CXPcct sOmc nlcntiooit in thc IIttlllan Rights Act(at lcast: itslegislativlistory lhcrc is no71cr' Thc court,thus,Itted thatttthere cannot bediscrtttIIlatton attainst acCX marriatte it by indcpcndcnt statory dnition cxtcrldcd tothc lturaan RiBhtsctitllcrc can bc no such thingf' rrF

Hcrc,thc RcftSrcndum cnot bc dccmcd to violatc thCHRA 81ttc C()urt of AljpcaISin D/onctusivcly dctcllllincti that thc rcfllsal to recognizc samccx`la:agcdOcs rlF Rlna oFthc DCdRA l)ropon cntsRclcrcndu m asks voters w hcthcr thcy w istt to tttain thc laof`hc Diric(ltrtins itllarriagc to(lllc ulBlon of ttllCnbCrs of thc oPpOSitC Scx.` at 315:thc vcry law that was uPhCld as coistcnt with DCRA in ccaasc thc Rctrcndusccks only to llnttntaln thc statts quo as ttphcld in D,thc Rclcndun docs not iauthohzcB,or llavc tllc cffttct of attthorizirlgi'discrinitllation prohibitcd by thc DCIRA und shod bctcccptcd byc Board

2 Thth 20()2 Incndncllto thc I)CRA did not changc thcla establ:cd by D

Whilc thc DCHRA was aincttdcd:n2(X)2 to c14ritt its apPlicati()n to thc provislon ofgovcrnttcttt bcncrlts alld sctticcs.dle amendmcni did llotttng tO altcr thc CoufAppcalsana:ys:sin D Thc c01litinass um cd th att he DCRA was applicabtoc prOvisionof rttarriagc liccnscs evif that4S unClcar undcr thc act t`Wc,tocsnc thc4.llriagclocnsc Butta:sap:acc oFpbc accOll110d0n fclr purposcs our ysis'.ftt at 319Thc cos analysis turncd on hc nindarllcntal derlnition olFrnaagc''as a tthctcloscxllalllnioa,')nllt on thc noll,appllcabili:y ofthe DC lo thc I)istttct govcnlmcrltissuancc ofarrialiccnscs Evcn assuttittg thc DCRA dPPlicd,c COtirl of Appca:s hcld tllat thcCicrk rcaltO pK)Vitlc liccnscs to sanc,scx cOttplcs diot vlolatt the DCRA

lc Councii aloxprcy prccd thc 2002 ancndmcnt with thc Prl)ViSO ctxcept asothcrwisc PrOVidcd ttr by D:stric(14w, 'laRin3 Cl t,t alllendmcnt did not tttcr thccurntlaHn thc Distrlct collccinithc provision o1 30VCrnmcnt scrviccs anolncs,inctuding the C1l `peatS'dis10n in D?DC Codes2-140273.

1 oreovcr,thc leslattVC llistory of thc 2002 a11lcndcn`says notllinOntldcfinition of mari:agc oi tllc rcBniti08 0f Sanlc(naringcs'' l hc amcndlllcn was passcdi&rcsponsc to at1 7 gttsi 1995 1idcntvcrc an cncrgcncy mcdical tcchnictan rcrhscd mcdical


8/12

A R e t t r c n t t u r I C o n c c r n i n g t h c J u r y a n d a r r i a g c A m e n d i n c n t A c t o f 2 0 0 9Jc 9,)09pag8 of12

carc to all ittdividutt fObctllg`insgcndcrcd' Rcpolt or e Subcomttaitthc on Fftil Rights,Latitt Af4tairs ttd Prpcrty Mana 1t,istttcl oF Cob CottdL 5(M 29,200The Subconmi ec cxplned trtathc bchaviorasprohibitcd by tllc Acf'sincc tllc DCRA did not covcr ttc 3overllcnt provion omergcttcy medttH servttcs (cmphattsaddcd)1 : C` 2002 a ndnc ough only to rectitt th Ort ofittus cC ThC ancndmcnt wasin()wayntclldcd to undcl19,or to!CttiSon thc deflnition of marttagc as a uniobctwccm a rllan and wonan as cslishcd byc Unitcd Ss COngcss il1 19()1

Bccause prclnlains thc laorthc Distt,thc Rdun docs not rttthorizc,orhavc thc cILct oforin3='discrininalion prohibd by tllc DCRA A ordin31y,thtod should acceptthc Rcttrcndum as aPttpcr sublccfi undcr I)C Codcs l-1()1161b)(1)3 Tcj thc cxtcnt thc DCRA can bo consttued to rcqBtrc thcCO.11n oa0-SCX(alriagcs,''tlle DCrRA

precrllptcy thc rcdcral Dcfcnsc ol arriagc Act oF 1991111 District of Colunbia is a lalcre insirumcntality of[ C rcdcrall('OVCr cnt D,JFcbr,P( 409 U S 418,432(1973)It is unttucly t.csttlbitshcd ulldcr thcC o n s ( i t t t t i ( ) n a s t h c s c t t o F t h c N aGovcri lmcnti' ?CFf rltZ/1jl , 3 1 4 U S441,452(1,41)Thc Un:4ed Statcs Conttrcss hasPlcnary''Powcrtlcgisiatc fOl tllc District of Colllbiar7tttFtt S,41l U S4389,397(1973)Arjclc l,Scttlon 8,Clausc 17 ofthc

U l l i t c d S t a ` e o s t i t u t i o n ( t h c ` ` D i s t r i c t C i a u s e ' ' ) e n t p O W C r s C o n g r c s s ' t i t 1 0 t X C r cgisiatto3,in all Cascs whatsocvcrVCr such Disic t(not exdin3 tcn Mllsquare)aS may,by Ccss;()f particurar st4ttcs,and Acccptancc or Congrcss,bccollle the Seat ofthc Govcrnnlcntof tllc: Statcs U S.C()Flst art :,,cl.7

Fhc Unitcd Sta Congrcis grantcd the District of Columttia vcry l:tcd hollle rulcauthority t&1973,vith thc passag(orthc Honc Rlllc Act Thc H()IIlc Rulct providcs thcistrict,oncssential:y local District lttattcrsta Systcnflnllnicipai 30VCrnmcni similar totllat PIovided in a1l othcr citics throughotlt thc lJnittd States C Codc si(a);H R RcPNo 82,at 2(1973): othcr rntlniciPal cOIPOratiOns,thc Districr C01ulllbta's pocr to govcrlsncttssarily l:nlitcd ttts powcr is circuttscribcd by the United Statcs COngrcss CC7 r' C R t tt S & r, 2 4 1 o w a 4 5 5 , 4 7 5 ( 1 8 6 8 ) ( c s l a b t t S h t n g t h e l ostdi ngillon Rulcwhich mttntains th41t b=se mtlllic tpalli cs rc c ttats oflhclegislattre,they havc only thosc pOwcrs cxpressly granted by thc lcstSiaturc)11l

unitPtt rCg u14E,the :st ric tanno`pcl an ad which 14 COnttcsslonali statutc Fods ,or ttrbid an act which thc sttltute pellll&D jrr crrt771& rrp, rFIF,442F.2d123,13()(D C Cif 1971)


9/12

A Rcgcrendun ConccrllirLg thc Jllly arld"rriagcncndnt Atht of 20099,2()09Pagc 9 oF12

The Dct o f Curnbia, thus,has onlym Spccinc lc31ttt ttivc powcrs"Drcri"lr C442A2d l10)H3(D C 1982)ThcU n i t e d S t a t c s C o n t t c s s h a s s P c c i t t c a l l y c s c r v d ! t h C r i t t h t , y t i m c , t o c x c r c i s c i t sconstitutiottal authortty as lcgislatllre for thc District,by cnact:l13 1Cgistatioor thc District oany hlllllcct,whcthcr within or widut ttc scopc oficgislative power gand thc Councll by[the HOmc Rule Actl,iluding rcgislatioattcnd or rcpcal any law incc in ttt DislctFnOr 10 0r aftcr cnttrjlcnt of dl:A d tty act passcd by thc Cotunc:lr'I).cc()dc$()6

Thc District of Coltlmb:a rs exprcssiy dcllicd auttority to`.c3t any act to aillcnd oriCPC311y Act of C()n3rcss hiCll is not icstltctcd:n its 4pplication oxclus'vcly in oi to thcI ) : s tt"D C C O d e s t 602 ( a ) ( 3 ) T h u s , W t t n a D i s t r l t14w nnic t s w t t h a c o n g r c s t t o n ncnactmcnt.or is constrd to do so,tllc con3rci`Onai cnactlllCnt alays trulnlps ttConttrcssionalcnactmellts prcvall ovcl locrettuiat1011s innaictvlth the' thFl,71=,442F2d 1130

1n1996,the Unttcd States Congrcss pttsed the Fcral Dcfcrlsc of arriage Act,lU(SCs7,28 !S C s 1738C( fedettt r)OMA") le irst scctlon statcs that for purposcs of ttdCr:a,(arriagc'mcans a lcgal ttrlioll bcn a rnan ttnd aolllall;In dcternlining thlllcantng Of any Act of Congrcss,or of any mlLIBg,rcgutattonor irltcttrCtat:on ofthc vaitous adntstrativc burcaus and agcnc:cs or tilc untdStatcs,tllcOIt 4.nttriage `mca s only a lcgal unlon bcnvccn Onc lll.Rli alld OncO&1l aS httsballtt andi.antl cvord t`spousc''rcnlrs oniy tO a person oftheO P P ( ) S t t C S c x w h o t s a h u n d o r a w i f c

t t l S C s 7 , T h c c o d S e C t i o n P r o v i d c s c h a t R o s t t t c s b c r c q u t r c d t t a c c o r d f ut t t a n dcrcdit to a sanlccx marrtagc irccnscd tty anothcr slatc:No State,lcrritory,or posscsston of tllc runttcd Statts,or ttndian ti:bc,shaH bcrcqutrcd 4o givftcctto any pub:act,Iccord,Orjudicial Procecdin3 0f anyo cr Stc,itory,Possc 0,0tibc rcspcattt a rttaO Bs h b Ct tC cPrSOFIS Of lllc sanlc scx that is trcatcC a a narriagc undcr thc la vof suctt othcrStatc,tcrrttory,posscssion,Or ribc,or a righl or clrn arising from suchrciatiolhip

28 U S C s1738CTheDislrict l'Col.rmbia oes ot all w;thin heplainmeaning f thesecondection f FederalDOMA.

Thc Suprcmc Cout has llctd thatthc Di rict is.tinl:kC Cithcr thc Stttes or tlier c l r i tcs. 'tt is ttt n lct t hst rtLL lcn tal ity o f lFcd c r(vCmm c n t = ' C a r4()9 U S a t422,432 S 1/''S539U.S 69,71-72(2003)(tcrm possessi(Is


10/12

A R c t t r c n d u I I I C o n c c r n i n g t l l c J u l y a n d M a r r g c A t t c l l d m C a t A c t o D 0 9Junc,,2()09Pagc lo12

SOlCtillles uscd synonynOusly vitl`ttclTltory or uscd to indicatc an is and tllldcr thc cOnt l ofthc Utcd Statcs but witt a icsstabHshcd 3)vcrnncnoMoreov i,ttCn the UIlitc J Statcs C()ngress itttcnds for aatc to covcrthe Di trict ofCollllbia,tt typical:yctlncratcs thc Distict vithin tho terBls of tllc statutt ttsI IIIstance,ei l o b b s A c t , 1 8 U S C s 1 9 5 1 , c o v c r s t ( a o l T t t e r c c b c t w c c n a n y p o i n t i n at h r r i t o r y ,Possesslon,or thc istrict of COLabid and anv poillt outsidc thcroi lhcI olc P4ChttCntAct,47 U S,C s224.rcachcs t`all!tatc,tIttory,()r POSSCSS10nfthc Utcd Statctttc

DiSLric(o Cd :1lbi,or any Pol ttCal subdivision,asCncy,ol iBst cntality thcrcof'' eJ o l l B s o n A c t , 1 5 U S C s l 1 7 5 , s P c c : t i C a l l y f t l l b i d s ` t t h c D i s c t o f C o t u F X l b t o n g w i t h t h ct c w i t o r i c s a t t d p ( ) s s c S S i O s O f h c U n i t t t S t a t c s o m t l c t t t a t t u t u n d i t i o n , r c p a i r , s c l l ,transport,posscssriOn!,or uSe tOfly gattbling dcvice

T ct that Congrcss didt::st tllc I)istrict in scction thvo of Fcdcratt DOA suggcstsCongttss tntcndcd to cxcltttc it lnl the A's covcragc lt is a basic ruttc of statttoryconsttuction ttthathcn a lcgisiatlire rnakcs cxPrCSS mcntion ofone tllinthc cxcluslol,of()this implicd,bccausc therc is an infcrcncc that all orr.isstons should bc tlndcistood as cxclusi()ns.'C,tFyr4 C04A.2d l128,113()(D C 1986)jt/7rt7it tt,535 U S.55,65(20()2)(`teXPrcsSing onc ttcm of n]assooi Cd 3 up orS es cxdttdcs anothcr icunttcnti )ncd )Thus,on thc ttcc of ttctton two of Federtt DOMA,thc Disdct shoHld not bcconsidcrcd a ttsatc,tetttto or SSCSSiO Ofttc Unitcd Statcs'' ithin tllc ttcani ] ()fthc Ad

:i Tllc lc31Slativc history of Fcdcrtt DO4ttt rctnftDrceslllc ttct:hcstric(of Coluttbia docot fati withinscctton t of Fcdcral DO A

Tllc Unttcd Statcs CoFlgrCSs PassCtl Fcdcral I)OMA:n sPonsc to oxlEptg ic33:P10CCedigs:tllta of nawa:I H R Rop No 104 664at2-6(1996), (21996US C C A N 2905-2 Thc statc courts in ttaaii appcarcd to bc on thc vcrgc of rcqtllitlBg thcstatt to isc marriagc liccrlcsex collplcs Con os` as collcCrllCd tllat ir tllhappenc(1,tttcother statcs wOuld bcorccd by thetr obltgattolls undcr thc I::Fat4h and CrcdttClausc,U S Const art IV,sl,to:VC binding le3al effcctto theSc same scx ar!:agcs rr7 at2 Vittt rcgard to rctlcrai la,Coressantcd to foreclose thc posttbillty of sattccx cOuplcsuaHtthg rtjr ttdcral bencthat deFend on maristatus FrJScction two of Fcdcra!D()Avas innddt(t oot99t thC rig ht oftrlc PcO plCcttllgthrouBll thCir statc lcgtslaturcs,to tttain decratic control ovcr thncr in which thc Stattcswl dettnc thc institn ofmaHTtagc=' I at 18 at 17(Scct10n tts ttinovratcd inPar bydcsrc to prottctthc aby of dedcd offlci Cach statc:dCddc maters lttatcd hooscxuali ')r dttmscivcs,rtthcrhan tllc c(lurts Or the ieslatutts ofothtt statts)WViththc Dtstrtct or Cuttbta,thcrc ts tlo cCaCCrn aboprotecting statcovCrCigIIty or dcfcrring tostatc tcgidtutts ``Collgrcss itscll:s the lcgisiatttthe Constitt tion cnvisionsthetstrict aFF7",90 F Supp 2d35,48(D D C 200()),` ,53 U S 941(2()( )Thc District Clausc ol Conttitl,tion providcs CgFss th powcr [t]o cXCiSc cxusivc


11/12

A trleferendurnoncerningheJury antl v{arriage mendment cLof 2009June , 2009Page 1ot 12

l.cgislatiorrn al! cases hatsoevcr^.ver" rc Dis'iriot 1'Cloiumbia.j.S.Const. rt. , $ 8. c!. 1?.Congressexcrciselslall thepoliceand egulatory owerswhich a statoegislaturc r municipalgovemment ouldhave n legislatingor statc r ocalpurposes."talmore,4l U.S.at 397.1'hus.Congress' urposen enacting ederalDOMA simply s nor atlvancccly applyingsectiontwo to thc l istrict oi Colurnbia.

1 Thc purposc of cdcrai DO is upllcld byillcludin3 Distric4 oF Colunlbia in secone ofFtcral DOMACollJcss cnuncrated n mcrous intcrs tt sought to adncc by tllc passage or scctioPc oF Fcdcral DOMP includiElg thc dctcnsc of thc institution of craditi nlarriagc,defcndin3custontary Botions()f Orality,and PresCn ing thc scalcc resottrccs of thc fcdcra1 8overnmcnt

m R RcP No 1(-664)at 12-18 Thcscl ltcrcsts ttrc advccd in this casc by inlldirA_PA thcDitrict of Corabia apart Of lhedcrtt gvcrllncnt undcr scction o1le of Fcdoral D/OMA,nolby dCCltn3 thC Districtto bc a t`state:t(y.or p()sscssloofthc Unitcd States''ulldcr sectinto By induding thc Dtstrict ttndcr scctiInc,vhcrc it lo3iCally bclol13S as tta nlcreinstflcn1lty orc rcd00VCttncnt," ,4(U S at422,COn ` Cnsurcs that ttcDis(rict stays truc traditional lnarriagc and Prcscrvcs thc rcsourccs spcnt on thc District lorsll marriages

Accorttingly,thc l)istttct is not astatc.tcritory,or posscsSiOn Ofthe tited Statcslplcco scction two of Fttcral OMA Rather itis Part ofthc fcdcr Overnttcnt and boundbyccoll ollc Fcdcrat I)OMA,asan a of Con css,ltls,rcvalllS1 0vCr 10Ctt regulations inconllitth lit"inclding thc DCHRA. Indccd,thc DC HRA spcctncally providcs thatitsh bCtrucd to stlpcrscde atlyerai rulc=lion or actCC()dcs 2141)1(C)(Cmphatts addcd)iv lfthe DCHRA isc()nstrd to rctuttt rccognitionogmc_sex tl`nnagcsit cOflictsith scctioll

onc of Fcderal I)OMA andshO ld bc pttclnptcdAn act of Coll rCSS Will al vays prcc pt conllictiFlg DistFiCt ia vs For;A4SianCc,thcDistri of Columbia Court of APpcalS StrucR dowtt as invalid and PrccttPtcd tt pttPo edinltltativc lo all()w vidco lottcCr llinals(.(VLlin thC I)lstrict)bccausc tho inttctlivcatithorizcd activiticsccittCally probitcd by thchnson Ac15 U S C ssi171-1178

prcvioutty cnactcd by ConttFCSS 2 , Dr C' C,& ro,911A2d i212,1216(D C 2006). 1le VLT Camb ng lttitiathould authozc thctransPortatiOn,PosscSSiOn,rcpair and usc of v:dco lottery machinesithin thc District ofColu Bbia Ho vcvCr,thcsc vcry samc activitics arc prollibitcd by scction l 175 of Fllc JOhnso thicll clearly applics tO thc District(C01unlbia l' at 1215. orcovcr,thc court foundhtt thcohnson Act(tapplicd ttjtristtcoosidc thc I)ict or CLnb:a" at 1215 16.l hc court collclLdcd thattttettllcr thc Council nor thc votctt throtltth inttiativc tray an


12/12

Rcfcrcndn Conccrrting thc Jury and 4arliagc Amcndmcnt Act oF 2{)09ne ,2()()Page 12 of12

repeal this Congress10nal prollibitlon on using anS PosscSSing gambling dcvtccs within thcDistrict of Colun]bia `at 121(

wisc, C"b ,,537A2d211(D C 1988),thC DiStrict ofC()lllbta Court oljpcalS hCld that thc Cotlctl COdt paSs scntcncing 3dCl:ncs ittr drugotrcs that co,ltlictcd with thc[;uidclillesrcady pasd by Congrcss in tllc NarcolAdictsRchabttitalloAct oF 1966(tNIRA `) 215 T c court notcd that NARA(.apphes t dcral dcttrldants in cvctt juttStictlon in thcited Stttcs'frr at 2 C ng t(heomcRulAct provislon prollil)iting thc CouBcil from ttncndil13 0cpcaling an act of(,ogcss,thccourt cxPlatned tllat tllc COuncll ttould llotlld thus didlrcpcal NARA as aPPlled to clDistrict ololumbia='F at 214T t t c s a l l l e i s t r u c w i t h r e t t a r d 1 0d c r a l D OA I t d c i n c s t ` nia gcfo r al l t td cr al

p u r P o s c s all u t t O n b tw c n a . n L l a n d a w o m a8 U S C s 1 7 3 8 G t t t h a n a c t o f t h cUnitcd Statcs Corlgrcss tllat appll()s to tllc!fcdcra:gOvcrcnt,1cltlding thc District ofColumbia Should thc Board constrlc thc DCIRA ro rcquirc ttc rclcction of PronentSRcftrendulnhc 8od's cOnstl.lGdon orlc DCRA wuldo1l impcissiblc att(pttolcnd or rPcal anil Act of(longss'tpcc:ally,Fcdcral DOMA Such an aPpliCation ofc DCHRA thtis,wld be Preenlptcd by Fcdcral DOMA Accordin3y,P pncntsRcfcrcttdlllll slldid bcOt bC(:cclnlcd a vlolatton Gfthc DCRA and shollid bc acccptcd by tllcBo as a ttpropcr sutteCf illc nt trdutt process

IV. Conclus!on

ooard shotlld oPcn thay to scd the qllelon ofhether the Districtlouldicco9ze salllceXmarittcs Olll otllerjunsdOnso thc votcrs.II lllc vos lodcctdc tllatc of lnarriage in thc Districi.n ot the thirtcen mcnabcrs ofthc C ouncif tllc Distltof Columbia.Thc RcttrcndulII satics ali tcritcria sct out in D,C,Codc s l l()()116(b)(1Accordingty,thc Boarshouid ica61ly approvc thc Rcfcrcndun,

Very rulyyours,

AllianccDcfense undDavidW. NcwAttorne at nw itAttorneysor Proponcnts

Enclosr:rc

Date post:	30-May-2018
Category:	Documents
Upload:	michael-ginsborg
View:	214 times
Download:	0 times

Counsel for Referendum Proponents - Brian Raum, ADF Senior Attorney and David New, Legal Comment on...

Documents