D.C. Council Approves Same-Sex Marriage Bill 11-2

The D.C. City Council has approved a bill granting same-sex couples the right to marry in the District. The legislation found overwhelming support on the 13-member council on Tuesday, with only council members Marion Barry and Yvette Alexander voting against it. The council must take a second vote before the measure can be sent to Mayor Adrian Fenty, who has indicated he will sign it.

"Today's vote is an important victory not only for the gay and lesbian community but for everyone who supports equal rights," said David Catania, the bill's author and primary sponsor. "Gays and lesbians bear every burden of citizenship and are entitled to every benefit and protection that the law allows. Whenever 11 out of 13 council members vote to support any issue, it indicates that there is strong support for the issue among our constituents."

According to the Washington Post, Barry gave an "impassioned" speech expressing his solidarity with the gay and lesbian communities, but said he objected to the issue being made a "litmus test" when many of his constituents do not support legalizing same-sex marriage. He asked the gay community not to hold his "no" vote against him.

"It's not fair to make this one issue a litmus test as to one's commitment to human rights, to justice, and I resent those who would make it a litmus test," Barry said.

Once the bill becomes law, the city will join five U.S. states in permitting gay couples to marry. D.C. had already opted to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states.