Mayor Vincent Gray (D) signed into law Tuesday afternoon two measures aimed at expanding opportunity and choices for District’s LGBT community. With Gray’s signature, the JaParker Deoni Jones Birth Certificate Equality Amendment Act of 2013 and the Marriage Officiant Act of 2013 – both unanimously passed by the D.C. Council earlier this summer – will become law if, as expected, they pass the required 30-day congressional review period. Surrounded by several members of the LGBT activist community; Councilmembers David Catania
Washington, DC has passed bills that allow for weddings to be performed by secular celebrants and for transgender residents to obtain new birth certificates with their correct gender, name and other personal information, with the new certificates not indicating they have been altered.
The change for wedding officiants will allow for anyone to get a single-use license to perform a wedding, with no limit on the number of times a license can be obtained. (Congress has 30 days to overturn the laws before going into effect.)