"Today, we took a giant step toward marriage equality becoming law," Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign, said in a statement Friday.
An amendment from Delegate Tiffany Alston, a Democrat who previously opposed the bill, was accepted by House members, a move that opponents suggested secured her vote. It would keep the law from taking effect until any litigation related to a potential voters' referendum on the measure is processed.
The House also added an amendment late Thursday altering the effective date from October to January 2013.
Delegate Wade Kach, a Republican, said earlier Friday that his support was contingent on that amendment.
Opponents say the bill does not adequately protect religious freedoms and would force educators to teach about gay marriage in public schools.
Delegates rejected several amendments, including ones to create civil unions and to let parents opt out of education programs that address same-sex relationships. Opponents argued that Democrats rushed the bill through without proper consideration of amendments once they knew there would be enough votes.
