Massachusetts House votes to let out-of-state gays marry

BOSTON — The Massachusetts House has voted to allow gay marriages involving out-of-state couples.

The lawmakers voted 118-35 Tuesday to repeal a 1913 law that bans couples from marrying in Massachusetts if their own states would not allow the unions.

The state Senate voted to repeal the law earlier this month and Gov. Deval Patrick has said he will sign it.

Opponents say repealing the ban will attract many out-of-state gay couples to Massachusetts for marriages.

Some proponents say that would be an economic boon for the state, and would allow Massachusetts to compete with California.

A California Supreme Court ruling recently made gay marriage legal there with no residency requirement.