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| DC approves same-sex marriage law | DC approves same-sex marriage law |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Washington DC city council has voted to recognise same-sex marriages conducted in other US states. | Washington DC city council has voted to recognise same-sex marriages conducted in other US states. |
| Because Washington DC is not a state, the decision will now have to be approved by Congress before it can become law. | Because Washington DC is not a state, the decision will now have to be approved by Congress before it can become law. |
| Four US states - Vermont, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Iowa - now permit gay marriage, and legislation to allow it is in progress in other states. | Four US states - Vermont, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Iowa - now permit gay marriage, and legislation to allow it is in progress in other states. |
| The resolution was passed in the council by 12 votes to one. | The resolution was passed in the council by 12 votes to one. |
| Council member David A Catania - one of two openly gay members of the body - explained his reasons for supporting the measure during the debate. | |
| "This issue is whether or not our colleagues on a personal level view me and [Council member] Jim Graham as your equals," he said. | |
| "If we are permitted the same rights and responsibilities and obligations as our colleagues. So this is personal. This is acknowledging our families as much as we acknowledge you." | |
| Fellow council member, and former Washington DC Mayor Marion Barry, was the only member to vote against the proposal. | |
| "I understand this is personal to you and Mr Graham," he said in response to Mr Catania's remarks. | |
| "I resent Mr Catania saying either you are a bigot or against bigotry as though this particular legislation represents all of that." |