WASHINGTON (AP) — The mayor of Washington has signed a bill legalizing gay marriage in the nation's capital, but it won't go into effect just yet.

Mayor Adrian M. Fenty signed the bill Friday in a public ceremony.

The city council passed the measure Tuesday to legalize same-sex marriage in the city. Congress has final say over D.C.'s laws, however, so the mayor's signature doesn't mean the bill immediately becomes law.

The bill must pass a 30-day period of Congressional review.

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Supporters expect Congress won't touch the law and that gay couples may be able to wed in the district as early as March. Opponents, however, plan to fight the bill.

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