Mount Vernon at Center of Gay Marriage Controversy

Bishop Harry Jackson Jr. has claimed D.C. residency on voter registration rolls, but he owns two homes in Maryland, including a $1.1 million estate in Silver Spring. (Blade photo by Aram Vartian)

The Washington Blade has an article online (to appear in Friday's print edition) that places our neighborhood at the center of the gay marriage controversy in DC. Apparently, the pastor of the Maryland church who is leading the effort to overturn DC's marriage equality law claims he lives in The Whitman at 910 M Street NW. That's significant because in order to serve as a sponsor of a referendum to change D.C. law, the individual must be a DC resident.

Based on the article, and my own investigation, however, Bishop Harry R. Jackson Jr., doesn't live there. At best, he may occasionally use the unit, which is owned by a Mr. Joseph Honaker. As the article documents, Mr. Jackson's church, family, and the homes he owns are in Maryland. If he does actually live in the Whitman, he'd be in violation of the condo's rules because the complex reached its condo board-set cap on rental units some time ago. There's some indication that Mr. Honaker may claim Bishop Jackson is his "roommate," which would be technically allowed under condo rules, but this would be a bit odd considering the unit is reportedly a one-bedroom. Finally, another Mount Vernon area condo is also in the mix. For some period of time, Mr. Honaker was listed in the phone book as renting an apartment at 555 Massachusetts Avenue, NW. Resident accounts confirm he no longer appears to live there.  Both buildings contain a large number of gay residents and, needless to say, they are not pleased with the use of their address for the referendum.

 

The referendum may proceed even if Reverend Jackson is disqualified because other co-introducers may legitimately live in the District, but that does not excuse illegal behavior. If, indeed, Reverend Jackson registered to vote in the District by supplying fraudulent information--if he does not actually live at the Whitman--he is subject to criminal prosecution. In fact, DC law provides that a person convicted of making false representations as to his qualifications for registering is subject to a fine of up to $10,000 and may be imprisoned as long as 5 years. Voter fraud is not something we should let slide, especially when it involves people from other states attempting to impose their moral or religious views upon the residents of D.C.

Will Attorney General Peter Nickels direct his staff to investigate and prosecute this matter? Given Mr. Nickel's own now-settled controversy regarding his District residency, it will be interesting to see how this plays out.

Are there any Rev. Jackson or Mr. Honaker sightings among readers?  Do report.