Minnesota Legalizes Gay Marriage

Minnesota Legalizes Gay Marriage

As the marriage equality debate continues to heat up across America, more and more state legislators seem to be stressing their stance on the highly controversial issue. Joining eleven other states, Minnesota recently became the latest state to legalize gay marriage.

via Think Progress

After over four hours of debate, the Minnesota Senate voted 37-30 on Monday to pass marriage equality legislation, cementing Minnesota as the 12th state to recognize the marriages of same-sex couples. The vote was largely along party lines, with only three Democrats voting no and only one Republican, Sen. Branden Petersen, voted yes. The House passed the bill on Thursday with a 75-59 vote, and Gov. Mark Dayton (DFL) has promised to sign it as early as Tuesday. It will take effect August 1st.

Minnesota is the third state to pass marriage equality in 2013, joining Delaware and Rhode Island. When Minnesota defeated its anti-gay amendment in November, three other states successfully passed marriage equality: Maryland, Maine, and Washington. That’s progress in six states in just over six months. Illinois’s legislature may still consider a same-sex marriage bill before the session is over.

How has your state been reacting to the marriage equality debate? Do you agree with their actions?

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