Laws allowing same sex marriage in Washington, D.C. go into effect

March 3, 2010

[[File:Samesex marriage in USA.svg|thumb||| Laws regarding same-sex partnerships in the United States {{legend|#000099|Same-sex marriage1}} {{legend|#0066ff|Unions granting rights similar to marriage1,2}} {{legend|#00ccff|Legislation granting limited/enumerated rights1}} {{legend|#7f7f7f|Same-sex marriages performed elsewhere recognized1}} {{legend|#cccccc|No specific prohibition or recognition of same-sex marriages or unions}} {{legend|#ff9999|Statute bans same-sex marriage}} {{legend|#ff0000|Constitution bans same-sex marriage}} {{legend|#990000|Constitution bans same-sex marriage and some or all other kinds of same-sex unions}}

1May include recent laws or court decisions which have created legal recognition of same-sex relationships, but which have not entered into effect yet.

2Same-sex marriage laws in California are complicated, please see the article on same-sex marriage in California.

]]

The United States capital of Washington, D.C. legalized same-sex marriage on Wednesday. Beginning at 6 A.M. local time (1100 UTC), couples began submitting marriage applications at local courthouses citywide.

Washington D.C. becomes the seventh United States territory to legalize same sex marriage. The bill was ratified by Mayor Adrian Fenty last December. Due to city's territorial status as a federal district, the bill had to be reviewed by congress. The bill passed congressional review Tuesday night.

The bill faced opposition from many family values activists, who tried to stop the bill from becoming law. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts rejected a lawsuit to prevent the measure.