Black religious leaders rally against marriage equality in the District of Columbia

Earlier this month, District of Columbia City Council voted yes on the first reading for the District to recognize gay marriages from other areas and just about everyone believes it's only a matter of time before the council considers a bill to legalize gay marriage in the District.

Since the District of Columbia is the seat of government for the federal state, Congress has the option to override any decisions made by the City Council.

Story (from New Channel 8):

African-American pastors rallied in D.C. Tuesday against a plan to recognize gay marriages.

The demonstrators said the 12 to nothing vote does not represent the views of D.C. residents. "I'd rather be biblically courageous than politically correct," said Bishop Harry Jackson, a protest organizer.

"Marriage is between one man and one woman for one lifetime," added Deraye Walker, a protester.

Marion Barry, the lone council member who was absent for the vote, led the crowd in a chant. While Barry said he supports civil unions, he urged the demonstrators to lobby before the next vote on May 5.

What is Columbia a District? This is perhaps one of the most asked questions:

The United States capital was originally located in Philadelphia, beginning with the First and Second Continental Congress, followed by the Congress of the Confederation upon gaining independence. In June 1783, a mob of angry soldiers converged upon Independence Hall to demand payment for their service during the American Revolutionary War.

Congress requested that John Dickinson, the Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, call up the Pennsylvania militia to defend Congress from attacks by the protesters. In what became known as the Pennsylvania Mutiny of 1783, Dickinson sympathized with the protesters and refused to remove them from Philadelphia. As a result, Congress was forced to flee to Princeton, New Jersey on June 21, 1783.

It became clear that the national capital needed to be distinct from the states, in order to provide for its own maintenance and safety.

The Commonwealth of Virginia, and the State of Maryland both sold or otherwise gave territory to the federal government to create a District.