(CNN) - Minnesota became the 12th state to legalize same-sex marriages Tuesday after Gov. Mark Dayton, a Democrat, signed a bill giving same-sex couples the right to marry.
"It's history," his Twitter account read, along with a photo of him signing the bill on the Capitol steps. The state Senate on Monday voted 37-30 in favor of approving the legislation.
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The bill follows a failed attempt last year to define marriage as between one man and one woman with an amendment to the state constitution.
The Minnesota House approved the measure on Thursday.
The divisive issue drew crowds to Washington earlier this year when the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments on a federal and state marriage law. The court heard challenges to the federal Defense of Marriage Act, which defines marriage as between one man and one woman, and to California's Proposition 8, a ban on same-sex marriage approved by voters.
The 11th state to legalize same-sex marriage, Delaware, did so last week.
yay. thats super!! it's always nice to see a glimmer of hope in a world filled with people whom are often self-serving and lack empathy for others.
Blue states are approving same sex marriage, red states aren't We'll see if the supreme court strikes down the national law.
A bakers dozen, including DC. Zoom, Zoom.
Congratulations Minnesota!
After a very long. plodding and sometimes step-losing march toward equality, I predict there will be continuing progress, now, not only in the U.S., but in the remaining nations of the first world.
One by one... the dominoes fell.
Nice job Minnesota... But, what we need is national recognition... The federal government is charging me thousands of dollars in additional taxes because they do not recognize my relationship, that is wrong.. It's freedom and justice for all, what part of all is hard to understand ?
This is awesome news! I wish that my own state (NJ), as well as the rest of the states would follow suit. Every American deserves the right to marry the one they love.
I am only sorry that 11 states beat us to it. Great day.
Let me see if I have this right – approximately half of Minnesotans (47% to be exact) voted for the amendment to make marriage only between a man and woman. Yet only a couple of years later the legislators in Minnesota still thought it appropriate to legalize same sex marriage and basically spit on half of the electorate. Am I the only one who see this as a severe abuse when they force upon half of their constituents a law as controversial and divisive as this. It shows that they could care less about the nearly 50% of people in their state they have caused extreme distress by their actions. They simply don't care.
Way to go Minnesota! When will the Supreme Court of The United States rule on this issue?
When will these elected officials grow a back bone and put an end to this madness.
Minnesota????????? Are you sure???????????
Maybe IL will be next. If so, it will put more pressure on Kennedy and Roberts. If they uphold lower court overturn of CA's Prop 8, it makes the case for overturning DOMA more compelling.
Love is the, love is the
Love is the, love is the
Love is the, love is the law.
I am so happy that the state of Love looks strong, and healthy, and fair! It's the way it should be! <3 Congratulations, MN, USA!! 🙂