Opponents jeer as D.C. approves same-sex

WASHINGTON, May 5 (UPI) -- Opponents of same-sex marriage harangued the D.C. Council as it voted 12-1 to recognize the legality of such unions performed elsewhere, witnesses said.

Shouts of "Get them off the council!" filled the chamber Monday as a large crowd of opponents, led by local Washington ministers, denounced the near-unanimous decision of the council on the measure, The Washington Post reported.

The bill now goes to Democratic District of Columbia Mayor Arian Fenty, a supporter of gay marriage, the newspaper said.

The lone negative vote came from Council member Marion Barry, himself a former D.C. mayor, who reportedly said he decided to stand with the "ministers who stand on the moral compass of God. It has been a very agonizing and difficult decision," he said, adding, "I feel comfortable with this position because I know where my heart is."