VIA THE WASHINGTON POST:
The D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics ruled Thursday, for the third time this year, that a proposed referendum on whether the city should legalize same-sex marriage cannot move forward.
The board said that city law does not allow a referendum or initiative on a matter covered by the Human Rights Act, which was designed to protect gay men and lesbians and other minorities from discrimination.
The decision is another setback for opponents of same-sex marriage. Last month, the Superior Court judge upheld a previous elections board ruling denying a public vote. But opponents are appealing the decision.
The same-sex marriage bill, which Mayor Adrian M. Fenty (D) signed in December, is slated to take effect next month if it survives a congressional review.
