WASHINGTON - Round two of the D.C. Council's hearing on legalizing same-sex marriage hit an emotional moment when one of the witnesses stopped, turned to his partner, and proposed.

"I'm taking a huge step in my own life," said Andy Hertzberg. "I'd like to ask you: Would you marry me?"

His partner, Andy Rollman, said, "Yes."

"I decided to do this as soon as I heard we were testifying here today," Hertzberg said.

"We get called names and to us, this is just endorsement, it makes us feel better about ourselves," added Rollman.

The Council members seemed to approve and offered their congratulations. But others in the hearing were outraged.

"I have never -- I have been down here to testify, but for something like this to happen in the council chambers -- there's no respect," said Barbara Morgan, a gay marriage opponent.

More than 150 people signed up to speak -- both for and against the measure -- but the majority of witnesses were in favor of gay marriage, ABC 7's Sam Ford reported. That's in addition to the more than 100 people who spoke at a hearing last week about the bill.

"When I get down on one knee and ask the person that I love, 'Will they?' I don't want to follow that up with, 'Will they domestic partner me'," said Sultan Shakir. "I want to follow up with, 'Will you marry me?'"

"How can the creature say to the creator what to do? What to say our ways are his ways, but all this is in love," said Jeffrey Davis, who opposes the legislation.

Currently, District law only recognizes same-sex marriages legally performed outside the city. The bill was introduced by David Catania and has ten co-sponsors. Additionally, Ward 5 Councilman Harry 'tommy' Thomas Jr has told NewsChannel 8 he will support the bill.

"This is a civil right," said June Crenshaw. "This is about equality. This is not an infringement on beliefs or anything on the church."

But religious leaders like the Reverend Anthony Evans says the new measure goes against his faith, and what's written in the Bible.

"Same-sex marriage is wrong," Rev. Evans said. "It's immoral, so it not only violates not only the Bible, but it also violates society."

Some churches again raised a concern that the bill as written will threaten churches who don't allow gay events in their facilities.

"It's possible that they are at risk for losing their tax exemption if they then say to same-sex couples, 'We don't want you to have your wedding reception here because it is inconsistent with our faith.

Council members say they're open to amendments. 

Councilman Phil Mendelson says Mendelson said he expects his committee to vote on the bill Nov. 10. A final vote on the bill could come as soon as December 1.

Opponents say they are likely to take legal action if the bill passes and is signed into law. 

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