D.C. Council Member Marion Barry Hospitalized for Dehydration

Council member Marion Barry (D-Ward 8) has been hospitalized for dehydration, Bernadette Tolson, his chief of staff said Tuesday.

He went to Howard University Hospital at about 3 a.m. and will not be at today's council meeting where Council member David A. Catania (I-At Large) will introduce gay marriage legislation.

Barry, who has been a champion of gay rights in the past, drew criticism earlier this year when he did not support legislation that recognizes same-sex nuptials from other jurisdictions.

Barry, 73, has struggled with his health, but earlier this year, he underwent a kidney transplant.

His spokeswoman Natalie Williams issued a news release stating that: "According to Dr. Clive Callender, Mr. Barry continues to recover successfully just 7 months after undergoing a kidney transplant on February 20, 2009. He is expected to be hospitalized for a few days."