Local Reaction To Pending Appeal Decision On Proposition 8 Ruling In California

By Cathy Carter

A request to prevent the resumption of same sex marriages in California is now under review. Local leaders on both sides of the gay marriage debate will be closely following the decision.

If the three judge panel permits marriages to resume, gay weddings in California can continue again on Wednesday.

D.C. Councilmember David Catania says the District's gay marriage law is supported by the majority of it's citizens, and he thinks attitudes are changing on a national level as well.

"Eventually, whether this issue is resolved through the courts or through the legislatures, you know the tide is turning," says Catania.

Opponents of gay marriage, like Bishop Harry Jackson of Stand for Marriage D.C., think differently.

"Well I think the good thing in terms of Proposition 8 is if it goes all the way to the Supreme Court, it could set a precedent much akin to Roes V. Wade in our favor and I think that time is on our side," says Jackson.

In the meantime, the local battles continue. Last week, Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley's press office said the Governor would sign a same sex marriage bill if one were to pass the Maryland General Assembly. O'Malley's likely Republican challenger Bob Ehrlich said he would not sign such a bill.