At the stroke of midnight on July 6th, the gay marriage movement shuffled a small step forward: a law went into effect in Washington, D.C., stating out-of-state same-sex marriages will be recognized within the nation’s capitol.  The Domestic Partner Bill passed by a vote of 12 to 1 in the D.C. Council back in May, according to The Washington Post. After a congressional review waiting period that ended last night, the bill became law.

On the individual level, it means a great deal: according to the Washington Times, “The law will affect everything from tax filing, employer health care benefits, inheritance and hospital visitation rights to mundane activities, such as gym memberships and car rentals.” Ironically, the new law will also make it easier for gay couples in D.C. to get divorced because they’ll no longer need to leave the District to do so. On the grander scale, however, it’s barely a blip on the radar, as it reminds gay rights activists that this is a war that has to be won battle by battle, so to speak. Unless, of course, the federal government acknowledges same-sex marriages, relinquishing the right of states to decide.

According to The Washington Post, when the vote was initially cast to approve the bill,  “[E]nraged African American ministers stormed the hallway outside the council chambers and vowed that they will work to oust the members who supported the bill.” The bill does not legalize same-sex marriage (it merely recognizes it) and council member Marion Barry warned at the time that if the District does not proceed with caution, the response from the community could be explosive.  Barry cast the single vote against the bill in May. Council member David A. Catania accused him of bigotry. Catania is the first openly gay council member, and, according to the New York Times, has said, “This is the culmination of a long journey as we attempt to be true to our motto - ‘Justice for All.’” He has mentioned plans to introduce a bill in the future that would legalize same-sex marriage in D.C., calling the Domestic Partner Bill a precursor.