D.C. approved same-sex marriage overwhelmingly on Tuesday. A second vote, scheduled in two weeks, is necessary for the measure to become law. Let's cross our fingers on this one - and - hope that gay and lesbian voters don't get screwed like they did in California, Maine and New York!

Washington Post reports:

The D.C. Council voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to legalize same-sex marriage in the District, a key step in a process that could enable gay couples to marry in the nation's capital by the spring.

D.C. approves same-sex marriage; civl rights vs. gay rights

Washington Post staff writer Tim Craig was online Wednesday, Dec. 2, at 2 p.m. ET to discuss the controversial legislation that has elicited passionate statements about the historical significance of their action and the rift over civil vs. gay rights.

Tim Craig: Good Afternoon. I'm ready to take a few questions about the D.C. Council's apparent decision to legalize same-sex marriage. One vote down. But still one to go in about two weeks. Either way, this battle is rapidly shifting from City Hall to Congress...

Southeast D.C.: So if all goes well, when can I marry my partner here in D.C.?

Tim Craig: Council officials believe that, barring a big battle over a lawsuit or intervention by Congress, same-sex couples will be able to marry in D.C. by mid spring, or perhaps late spring at the latest. It all comes down to how many days Congress is in session. Once the bill is signed by Mayor Fenty - he has pledged to sign it - Congress gets 30 legislative days to review it. So if Congress is in session a lot of days early next year, that process will be completed sooner than if Congress takes a bunch of days off. After the congressional review period is over, the bill becomes law. READ MORE