DC Delegate to Congress Eleanor Holmes Norton delivered an impassioned plea for same-sex marriage to the crowd at Halo Lounge. (Photo: Luis Gomez Photos)

Mayor Adrian Fenty and wife, Michelle, outside Halo Lounge. He said he would sign a same-sex marriage bill expected from the Council. (Photo: Luis Gomez Photos)

Luis and I headed over to Halo Lounge around 6:30 on Friday evening for Mayor Fenty’s “big announcement.” We got there a few minutes late, but Luis did get a photo of the mayor with wife, Michelle, as they left Halo. He was there to announce (not surprisingly) that he would sign the same-sex marriage bill that is expected to be passed by the DC Council later this fall.

There were many political poobahs (yes, it’s a word I love) on hand; I spotted Councilmembers Jim Graham (Ward 1), Mary Cheh (Ward 3) and [I think I saw] Phil Mendelson (At-Large). At-Large Council candidate Clark Ray was there as was DC’s delegate to Congress, Eleanor Holmes Norton.

While we missed Fenty’s remarks, we did hear much of Holmes Norton’s old-fashioned stem winder, which she delivered upstairs at Halo. Our delegate delivered an impassioned piece on marriage. (I didn’t take notes, so I am relying on my memory.) The gist of Homes Norton’s remarks were that marriage does need to be strengthened—and that same-sex marriage will help the institution.

What struck me were Holmes Norton’s references to the declining rate of marriage in the African American community in recent decades. I think she must have spent at least five minutes on the topic. I am going to guess that her remarks were also a warning to local preachers, reminding them to mind their own business.

I would be interested to hear from any readers who were there at Halo on Friday evening and heard Holmes Norton’s remarks.

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