Some non-depressing news out of Washington D.C. for once…

The D.C. Council voted Tuesday to legalize same-sex marriage in the District, as the city moves quickly to join five states in allowing gay couples to marry.

After months of debate, the council passed the bill 11 to 2. It still must take a second vote in two weeks before the measure can go to Mayor Adrian M. Fenty (D), who has said he will sign it.

Of the two votes against, one came from cocaine-aficionado former D.C. mayor Marion Barry, who — despite voting against full rights for homosexuals and previously preaching against the morality of gay marriage — wants gays to know that he still would appreciate their votes, please, thank you very much…

"I stand here today to express in no uncertain terms my strong commitment to the gay and lesbian, bisexual, transgender community on almost every issue except this one," Barry said.

He then went on to plead with gay and lesbian residents not to hold his "no" vote against him.

"It's not fair to make this one issue a litmus test as to one's commitment to human rights, to justice, and I resent those who would make it a litmus test," Barry said.

He's so right. It's just not right to be prejudiced against a person simply for one minor issue.

When will gay people stop persecuting that poor man?