Gay rights showdown

Politics | Largest charity in Washington may end city contracts | Emily Belz

Catholic Charities/Photo by Nick Crettier

Catholic Charities, the largest private provider of social services in Washington, D.C., has said it may cut contracts with the city because the city council's soon-to-be-passed same-sex marriage bill lacks religious freedom protections. The showdown between a faith-based organization and a local government over gay marriage is rare and could set the table for other nonprofits seeking similar protection around the country.

The capital's same-sex marriage bill extends some religious freedom protections to churches, allowing them to refuse to rent their facilities to a gay couple for a wedding. The Catholic Archdiocese of Washington argued that those protections aren't sufficient for religious organizations. These groups could face lawsuits for discriminating against gay couples who wish to adopt. They could be forced to provide employment benefits to same-sex partners.