The Washington, D.C. Council voted yesterday to legalize same-sex marriage in the District, poising it to become the sixth area of the country to do so, and the first below the Mason-Dixon Line. The only thing standing in marriage equality's way in D.C. is Congress, which has up to 30 days to veto the vote. D.C. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty, a Democrat, is expected to sign the bill by the end of the week.

Couples from anywhere in the country would be able to marry in D.C., and same-sex couples residing in the District would enjoy all the same rights as heterosexuals. However, the legislation does not require clergy or religious organizations to provide services, accommodations, or facilities for the services.

In order for the legislation, which was approved overwhelmingly at 11-2, to be overruled, not only does it need to be vetoed by the Democratic-controlled House and Senate, President Obama would have to block the legislation as well, a chance seen as unlikely.

As expected, opponents of marriage equality are gearing up for a fight. One such group, Stand4MarriageDC, is fighting for a measure to go on the ballot that would say that "only marriage between man and woman" should be "valid or recognized" in D.C. Last month, however, the D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics voted that putting such a measure out to ballot would violate Washington's 1977 Human Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination. Stand4MarriageDC is suing in Superior Court to have the ruling overturned.

Yesterday's vote was a much-needed victory to the gay community nationwide. The decision comes two weeks after the New York Senate voted down a bill that would have legalized same-sex marriage in that state. Sponsors of a bill to legalize same-sex marriage in New Jersey withdrew last week, likely because the bill had little chance of passing. Voters in Maine last month approved a measure that overturned a bill that made same-sex marriage legal in that state. Voters in Washington state, however, chose to support legislation that expanded domestic partnership rights there, giving gay couples all the rights of marriage, without the title.

Same-sex marriage is currently legal in Iowa, Connecticut, Vermont and Massachusetts, and as of next month, New Hampshire.

The fight for marriage equality in D.C. began in May, when the Council voted to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states. The Council first approved the bill to legalize same-sex marriage on Dec. 1. The second vote yesterday was needed in order to send it to the mayor for approval.

Congratulations to those in D.C. who have worked so hard toward marriage equality for all citizens. Let's hope that the rest of the country follows their example sooner rather than later.

[Image: Getty Images]