The nation’s capital could soon recognize legal marriages of same-sex couples performed in other states after a vote today by the District of Columbia City Council.  The marriage measure, an amendment to another bill, passed 12-1.

The U.S. Congress, which has ultimate authority over D.C. laws, will have 30 days to review the law before it can go into effect.  Congress would have to pass a law overturning the D.C. law in order to block it.  Under Republican rule, Congress has in the past refused to allow the District to spend money to implement certain pro-LGBT legislation, such as a domestic partner registry, but today’s marriage bill does not involve city expenditures.

Councilman David Catania, an openly gay Independent, has said he will work to legalize marriages of same-sex couples in D.C.

UPDATE:  The Washington Post has published parts of an exchange between Councilmembers Catania and Marion Barry, who cast the lone “no” vote. 

Council member David A. Catania (I-At Large), one of two openly gay members of the council, appeared to take a swipe at Barry over his stance.

“This issue is whether or not our colleagues on a personal level view me and [council member] Jim Graham as your equals,” Catania said, referring to the other openly gay member of the council. “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 yours.”

Barry quickly fired back at Catania.

“I understand this is personal to you and Mr. Graham. I understand because I have been discriminated against,” Barry said. “I resent the implication that because you are not here on this particular issue, that you are not being treated equally. . . . I resent Mr. Catania saying either you are a bigot or against bigotry as though this particular legislation represents all of that.”

Catania responded he doesn’t think Barry is a “bigot.”

“But your position is bigoted,” Catania added. “It is hard for me, as a friend, for you to vote against a status that you can enjoy, that I cannot.”