Gay marriage bill takes effect in US capitol

A law recognising same-sex marriages performed elsewhere has gone into effect in the US capitol. The bill was approved in a 12-1 vote by the city council in May.

A law recognising same-sex marriages performed elsewhere has gone into effect in the US capitol.

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The bill was approved in a 12-1 vote by the city council in May.

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 on Wednesday.

Council member David Catania has said that recognising 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. US states have jurisdiction over marriages, not the federal government.