Gay Marriage Challenge Back in D.C. Court

The D.C. Court of Appeals heard arguments Tuesday in the lawsuit stemming from last year’s decision to reject a ballot measure that would have asked voters to weigh the legality of same-sex marriage.

According to the Associated Press, “In January, a D.C. Superior Court judge threw out a lawsuit by a Maryland pastor who wanted to put a measure on the D.C. ballot to define marriage as between a man and a woman. Bishop Harry Jackson sued after the Board of Elections and Ethics refused to approve the ballot initiative, saying it would violate the city's Human Rights Act. The judge said the city was right.”

In an unusual move, the appeals court hearing Tuesday will occur before the full court, the AP reported.

The marriage equality law passed by the D.C. Council last year took effect in March.