Washington DC's City Council has passed a measure legalising same-sex marriage - in a major victory for the gay marriage movement after several defeats in other states.
The Mayor had promised to sign the bill, which passed with a strong majority of 11-2. It will now go to Congress, where it will be reviewed for 30 days, and barring opposition, will become law. Same-sex couples may be able to hold ceremonies as early as March 2010.
Gay marriage is already legal in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa and Vermont. New Hampshire will begin issuing licenses next month.
Same-sex marriage votes have recently been defeated in Maine, New York and New Jersey.
