BRADY McCOMBS, Associated Press
RACHEL ZOLL, Associated Press

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Episcopalians have voted to allow religious weddings for same-sex couples, just days after the U.S. Supreme Court legalized gay marriage nationwide.

The vote came Wednesday in Salt Lake City at the denomination’s national assembly. The measure passed by an overwhelming margin in the House of Deputies, the voting body of clergy and lay people at the meeting. The day before, the House of Bishops had approved the resolution, 129-26 with five abstaining.

The New York-based church of nearly 1.9 million members is known for electing the first openly gay Episcopal bishop in 2003. Since then, many dioceses have allowed priests to perform civil same-sex weddings.

Still, the church hadn’t changed its own laws on marriage until Wednesday. The Episcopal Diocese of Kansas has churches in over 35 communities across the state.

Under the new rules, clergy can decline to perform the ceremonies.

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BRADY McCOMBS, Associated Press
RACHEL ZOLL, Associated Press

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Episcopalians are set to vote Wednesday on allowing religious weddings for same-sex couples, just days after the U.S. Supreme Court legalized gay marriage nationwide.

The Episcopal Diocese of Kansas has churches in over 35 communities across the state.

In 2003, the denomination made the trailblazing move of electing the first openly gay Episcopal bishop. Since then, many dioceses have allowed their priests to perform civil same-sex weddings.

Still, the church hadn’t changed its own laws on marriage.

The vote on gay marriage is expected around midday in Salt Lake City, where the denomination’s national assembly is being held.

The proposal would eliminate gender-specific language from church laws on marriage so religious weddings can also be performed for same-sex couples. Clergy could decline to perform the ceremonies. Right now, each bishop decides whether his or her priests may conduct gay marriages.