Minnesota Just Passed Gay Marriage: What Now?
In a historic vote early Monday evening, the Minnesota State Senate voted 37-30 to pass same-sex marriage, after the House passed it last week in a 75-59 vote. Minnesota's statehouse is now the 12th state in the country to join a wave of gay marriage approval, setting the stage for Governor Mark Dayton to sign the law heading into a big summer for the movement nationwide — including the first legal same-sex marriages in the state. Here's a look at the next steps.
RELATED: Watch Delaware Join the Great American Wave of Gay Marriage Legalization
Will Governor Dayton Sign the Bill?
Yes. Dayton, a Democrat, has already promised to sign HF1054 as soon as it comes across his desk, probably within days. After coming out in support of the bill, he pushed the state legislature, and on April 18 Dayton told a rally in front of the Minnesota State Capital that "it's a constitutional right — an American right — to marry the person that you love. No doubt about it."
RELATED: First Word from the Supreme Court on Prop 8: The Justices Are Hedging
RELATED: Huntsman Indicated Support for Gay Rights in 2009
When Would Gay Couples Be Allowed to Get Married?
RELATED: Does Anyone Really Think Obama Doesn't Support Gay Marriage?
And This Makes Minnesota...
...the 12th state to legalize. And as Reuters points out, it also makes Minnesota "the third state this month to legalize gay marriage after Rhode Island and Delaware." Minnesota also joins Iowa as the only two midwestern states to approve same-sex marriage — for now.
RELATED: Yet Another Angle on Gay Marriage: When Will You Have Kids?
Did Someone tell Michele Bachmann?
She's a little busy with Benghazi at the moment, but, as you might imagine, she's sticking to her guns:
I’m proud to have introduced the original traditional marriage amendment, and I thank all Minnesotans who have worked so hard on this issue.
— Michele Bachmann (@MicheleBachmann) May 13, 2013
What About the Big Picture?
Well, the country is still waiting on the Supreme Court's decision on DOMA and Prop. 8 — both decisions are expected in June. (Indeed, it's a busy six weeks left in the term for the Supremes.) As for gay Minnesotans and Minnesotans who support gay rights, Minneapolis celebrates its gay pride on June 29 and 30, though the celebrations are no doubt beginning as we type.
