David A. Catania won election to the D.C. Council as a Republican in 1997. Growing up in the Kansas City area, Catania was seen as an up-and-comer in the party there until he came out. But he found he couldn't stay away from politics and toppled a black Democratic incumbent to become Washington's first openly gay councilman.
Juana Arias-The Washington Post
Council member-elect Catania, right, is sworn in by Raymond M. Zimmet, administrative law judge of the Federal Regulatory Commission, as Ken Baker, Catania's partner at the time, looks on.
Nancy Andrews-The Washington Post
Council member Phil Mendelson debates the Tax Parity Act of 1999 with Catania, left, and council member Vincent B. Orange Sr. Catania made fiscal restraint a focus of his early years on the council, repeatedly voting against construction of Nationals Park. His later use of no-bid earmarks for health groups tarnished his image among conservatives.
James A. Parcell-The Washington Post
Catania stands with other council members in 1999 as D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams announces an agreement for the Tivoli Theater to be developed into a Giant Supermarket. Catania has been in Washington since the late 1980s, when he was a student at Georgetown University.
Gerald Martineau-The Washington Post
Catinia speaks after he and other gay Republicans met with Republican presidential candidate George W. Bush in April 2000 in Austin, Tex. Catania would leave the party four years later because of the party's stance on same-sex marriage.
Harry Cabluck-The Associated Press
Catania speaks at a news conference held by Citizens for D.C. Justice, which was advocating passage of a referendum question asking D.C. voters whether they want an elected district attorney. "The combination of his personality and his intelligence make him intimidating, " says Walter Smith, executive director of the DC Appleseed Center for Law and Justice.
Richard A. Lipski-The Washington Post
Williams shakes hands with Catania before defending his budget proposals in September 2002. "David is smart, does his homework and brings some value to the table, but his vindictiveness is legendary, " said former Republican council member Carol Schwartz, who said Catania targeted her after she questioned how he was spending tax dollars.
Marie Poirier Marzi-The Washington Post
Catania shares a laugh with, from left, Louise White, Johnnie Scott Rice and Comesha Griffin at a private fundraiser in Northwest Washington as he campaigns for reelection in 2002.
Bill O'Leary-The Washington Post
Catania stands in solidarity with the No D.C Taxes for Baseball group in 2004 in front of the John A. Wilson Building (where he's joined by future mayor and stadium supporter Adrian M. Fenty). Catania was strongly opposed to public expenditure for Nationals Park and for the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.
Juana Arias-The Washington Post
Catania speaks to a small gathering of supporters at the home of Jane Saunders, center, in Washington in 2006. In 2005, Catania became head of the council's Committee on Health. He has since been criticized for his no-bid earmarks to associated groups and has clashed with leadership at the Whitman-Walker Clinic.
Nikki Kahn-The Washington Post
Thousands turned out to participate in the 21st Annual AIDS Walk and 5K run at Freedom Plaza in Washington in 2007, including speakers Catania and Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton.
Nikki Kahn-The Washington Post
Police Chief Cathy L. Lanier, left, Catania and Mayor Adrian M. Fenty join other city officials to react to the Supreme Court's decision on the District's gun ban. Frequent Congressional clashes on the extent of the city's home rule marked another strain in Catania's association with the Republican Party.
Bill O'Leary-The Washington Post
Catania makes a statement during a December 2008 council session. The past year has seen Catania push same-sex marriage to the fore of the city's agenda, a culmination of his work on the council. The refusal of colleague Marion Barry, right, to back the proposal made him a target of Catania's ire.
Bill O'Leary-The Washington Post
Catania meets with Jordan Hutchinson, committee director for the Committee on Health, which Catania chairs.
Sarah L. Voisin-The Washington Post
Even before election night last year, Catania had decided he was going to take advantage of expected Democratic majorities in Congress by pressing ahead with same-sex marriage this year.
Sarah L. Voisin-The Washington Post
Catania talks to Shannon Hader, left, the senior deputy director of the HIV/AIDS administration. On the right is Tanchica Terry, the senior policy adviser.
Sarah L. Voisin-The Washington Post
Catania's term expires in 2011, and he has not said whether he will seek reelection next year, although he has said he has more work to do in reforming health care.
Sarah L. Voisin-The Washington Post
Gallery Credits:
Producer, Photo Editor Stephen Cook
Text Editor Christopher Dean Hopkins
