██ Same-sex marriage██ Unions granting rights similar to marriage██ Legislation granting limited/enumerated rights██ Same-sex marriages performed elsewhere recognized██ No specific prohibition or recognition of same-sex marriages or unions██ Statute bans same-sex marriage██ Constitution bans same-sex marriage██ Constitution bans same-sex marriage and some or all other kinds of same-sex unionsThe 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.

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