A Washington, D.C., judge denied another request, on Friday, to allow voters to have a say in whether the District will recognize gay marriages.
Family advocates had asked the District of Columbia Board of Elections and Ethics to put the issue to the people, but the board refused, claiming a vote would violate the District’s anti-discrimination laws.
Last year, the District Council approved a same-sex marriage ordinance. It goes into effect next month.
A Jan. 28 Washington Post poll showed that 59 percent of adult D.C. residents believe voters should be allowed to vote on marriage.
Alliance Defense Fund attorney Austin Nimocks said this latest ruling will be appealed.
“A new definition of marriage should not be imposed upon the people of D.C. without their consent, and the majority of D.C. residents agree,” Nimocks said. “The court should support the people’s right to vote on this referendum, which would allow them to partake in a legitimate democratic process to decide a critical matter that affects everyone in the district.”
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