American Foundation for Equal Rights

Marriage News Blog

Minnesota Legislature Approves Marriage Equality, Bill Heads to Governor

The momentum for marriage equality continues to build in the land of 10,000 lakes. The Minnesota State Senate passed a historic bill that would recognize the freedom to marry for gay and lesbian couples by a 37-30 bipartisan vote.

The State House of Representatives passed the legislation last week with bipartisan support. The bill now advances to Governor Mark Dayton, a champion of the legislation, who plans to sign the bill into law as early as tomorrow, Tuesday, May 14. Couples will be able to get married starting August 1.

Minnesota will become the twelfth state in the nation to recognize marriage equality, and first in the Midwest to pass marriage legislation. Today’s historic vote comes only six months after Minnesotan’s rejected a ban on the freedom to marry in the state constitution.