The city council of the US capital, Washington, DC voted Tuesday to legalize gay marriage, a council official said.

The bill to allow same-sex couples to wed was passed by 11 votes in favor and two against this afternoon.
Former mayor Marion Barry and councilwoman Yvette Alexander voted against the bill. Mayor Adrian Fenty has promised to sign the bill, which has caused consternation among religious groups.

The Catholic Archdiocese of Washington has threatened to pull adoption and human services to the underprivileged out of the city if the bill becomes law, arguing that the Gay Marriage Act forces them to provide services to homosexuals. Programs at risk include adoption and foster care services and could affect 68,000 people who use the services each year, the church has said. Church officials have requested an exemption from part of a law that would ban discrimination against gay men and lesbians.

Just five of the 50 American states have moved to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples; Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, and Vermont.

New Hampshire will allow gay marriage beginning next month.