Members of the City Council in Washington, DC, introduced a measure today to allow gay marriage, and even opponents acknowledged it seems almost unstoppable. Assuming it goes through, DC—which already recognizes same-sex marriages performed elsewhere—will join the ranks of Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont, and, starting next year, New Hampshire. The law is expected to be in place by the end of the year.
The only potential hitch: Congress must give final approval, and some members may try to make political hay of the issue ahead of the midterm elections next year. It would be unusual for Congress to block the issue, however, and even opponents acknowledged the bill was likely to become law. (More Washington, DC stories.)