Rhode Island is the last New England state to reach marriage equality. It is the 10th state, plus DC, to legalize same-sex marriage.

The Rhode Island Senate passed a same-sex marriage bill on Wednesday, April 24th.

Gov. Lincoln Chafee, an independent, pledged to sign the bill immediately following its final passage.

Via: Steven Senne / AP

The first weddings could take place Aug. 1, when the new law would take effect.

Today, the Rhode Island House voted to approve the Senate's changes to the marriage bill: