Rally Pushes For Public Vote On Gay Marriage In DC

WASHINGTON, DC (WUSA) -- On the eve of public hearings on a bill to legalize gay marriage in the District of Columbia the opposition made themselves heard. Lead by clergy from many city churches, hundreds of people spent the afternoon in Freedom Plaza demanding the public have a say in the matter.

The rally organizers are pushing for a referendum on gay marriage rather than a simple council vote. While one side believes it is too important an issue to be decided only by council members the other side says the public shouldn't be voting on human rights issues.

The first of two days of hearings begins Monday afternoon before the Committee on Public Safety and the Judiciary. The Examiner reports 269 people have signed up to speak at the hearings.

Despite the opposition voiced on Sunday, the bill is expected to easily pass with ten of 13 council members already offering support. Mayor Adrian Fenty has indicated he will sign a gay marriage bill presented to him by the city council.