On October 6, 2009 Councilmember David Catania introduced the "Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Equality Amendment Act of 2009" at the D.C. Council's Legislative Meeting. This legislation culminates several years of LGBT organizing for civil marriage in DC. At this meeting the religious community was represented by the DC Clergy United for Marriage Equality, a broad interfaith network of religious leadership in the District of Columbia.

It is time for Catholic laity, religious, and clergy who are deeply committed to the core principles of Catholicism and also committed to marriage equality to be the prophetic voices leading the Church on this social justice issue. It is estimated that Catholics comprise 18% of the District's population making them the second largest religious denomination. Catholics United for Marriage Equality aims at bringing fair-minded Catholics into a broad network to support LGBT civil and human rights particularly as they pertain to marriage and family life.