In DC, blacks were crucial to gay marriage debate

WASHINGTON (AP) - Gay and lesbian couples will soon be able to marry in Washington, but the debate over same-sex marriage has sounded different here.

Over the past year, both sides have courted the support of D.C.'s black community, a majority of the city's 600,000 residents.

That has meant drawing parallels to Martin Luther King Jr.'s advocacy for equal rights and saying same-sex marriage bans will one day seem as ridiculous as interracial marriage bans. Both sides worked hard to curry favor with black leaders and churches.

Gay couples are expected to be able to apply for marriage licenses beginning Wednesday - but opponents are still challenging the bill in court.