D.C. City Council votes to legalize gay marriage

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The Washington City Council has voted to legalize gay marriage in the nation’s capital.

Mayor Adrian Fenty has promised to sign the bill, which was co-sponsored by 10 of the council’s 13 members. The final vote today was 11-2.

The bill now goes to Congress, which has final say over the district’s laws. Opponents say they’ll try to get Congress or voters to overturn it.

Passage of the bill is a victory for gay-marriage supporters, who have been dealt a recent string of defeats in Maine, New York and New Jersey.

Gay marriage is legal in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa and Vermont. New Hampshire will begin issuing licenses in January.

If Congress doesn’t reject the bill, Washington officials could start issuing marriage licenses around St. Patrick’s Day.

-- Associated Press