Rhode Island set to be 10th state to allow gay marriage

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Rhode Island is set to become the 10th state to allow same-sex couples to marry following approval by the state Senate by a comfortable margin.

Gay marriage supporters erupted into cheers at the Statehouse on Wednesday after the Senate's 26-12 vote.

The first marriages could take place Aug. 1, when the legislation would take effect.

The bill easily passed the House in January but now must get a largely procedural final vote there, likely next week. Gov. Lincoln Chafee supports the legislation.

While all other New England states already allow gay marriage, heavily Catholic Rhode Island has been a holdout. An aggressive campaign this year by supporters helped sway lawmakers.

The bill's chances also improved when Senate President Teresa Paiva Weed announced she would let it proceed despite her opposition.