It looks like the momentum from Iowa and Vermont is heating up as now D.C. is jumping on the same-sex marriage train.

The D.C. Council overwhelmingly voted Tuesday in favor of legislation recognizing gay marriages from other states — a move city lawmakers lauded as a step toward legalizing such marriages in the city.

If signed into law, the bill will allow gay D.C. couples to marry in one of four states that allow such marriages, then return to the District and have the marriage recognized under city law.

The 13-member council gave preliminary approval to the bill on the same day Vermont became the fourth state to legalize same-sex unions. The Vermont legislature voted to override the governor’s veto and allow gay marriages.

The D.C. legislation faces final approval by the council next month, then it must be reviewed by Congress, which has final say over most city laws.

Members also approved legislation that recognizes relationships that are similar to domestic partnerships in the District and have all “the rights and responsibilities of marriage” in another jurisdiction.

The District passed a law in 1992 that allowed same-sex couples to register as domestic partners. But Congress prohibited the city from spending any of its own funds to implement the law, until the ban was finally lifted in fiscal 2002.

D.C.’s hot mayor Adrian M. Fenty still needs to sign the legislation after the D.C. council gives its final approval next month.  Council member David A. Catania who is openly gay expects Fenty to support the bill.

Problem is, all D.C. laws also need to be approved by the U.S. Congress, and though we have a Democratic majority, we all know how spineless our dear Democrats really are.

(via Washington Times)