Photo by qbubbles

The D.C. Council today passed historic legislation that legalizes same-sex marriage in the District of Columbia. The bill was approved 11-2 on a second vote, and now goes to D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty’s desk for his signature. The mayor has promised to sign the bill.

Cheers erupted in the council chambers after the vote was cast.

The “Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Equality Amendment Act of 2009,” like all local legislation in the District, must be sent to Congress for a mandatory 30-day review period before it can become law.

Today’s vote mirrored the preliminary vote taken on the bill two weeks ago, with only Yvette Alexander (D-Ward 7) and Marion Barry (D-Ward 8) opposing. In his opening remarks, the bill’s champion, David Catania (I-At large), made a point of thanking Alexander and Barry, remarking that this was simply a difference of opinion, but that “they are my friends and they are decent.”

While noting that he felt he could understand how proud supporters of same-sex marriage must be today, for his part, Barry politely reiterated his opposition.

“This is a democracy, and I reserve my right to disagree,” Barry said.