WASHINGTON -- A law recognizing same-sex marriages performed elsewhere has gone into effect in the District of Columbia. The bill was approved in a 12-1 vote by the D.C. Council in May, with council member Marion Barry casting the lone no vote. Congress, which has the final say over the city's laws, had 30 days to review the bill. A push by black church leaders who oppose gay marriage failed to get a referendum on the matter. And Congress took no action, allowing the bill to become law Tuesday. Council member David Catania has said that recognizing gay marriages performed elsewhere is a first step toward performing same-sex weddings in the city. Six states _ Connecticut, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Vermont and New Hampshire _ allow same-sex marriage.
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