Minnesota to become 12th state to legalize same-sex marriages

Minnesota is poised to become the 12th state to legalize marriage for same-sex couples.

The state's Senate on Monday voted 37-30 to legalize same-sex marriage. The state's House approved the legislation last week and Gov. Mark Dayton (D) has vowed to sign the bill into law.

“After last week’s strong showing of support, legislators finished the job today, standing up for fairness and dignity for all Minnesota families. Coming on the heels of victories in Rhode Island and Delaware, this win for marriage shows that the freedom to marry is a value that Americans across the country stand behind. Freedom to Marry is proud to have helped create Minnesotans United for All Families, whose work to shore up legislative support – not to mention fending off an anti-gay amendment in last fall – makes the whole movement proud," said Thalia Zepatos, Freedom to Marry’s director of public engagement and a strategic adviser to Minnesotans United for All Families.

Minnesota will be the first state in the Midwest to approve legislation that allowed same-sex couples to officially tie the knot. Iowa permits same-sex marriage, but only due to a court ruling.

Same-sex marriage has gained traction in the United States in 2013. The states of Delaware and Rhode Island also recently legalized same-sex marriage, and Illinois is expected to follow suit.

Watch video, uploaded to YouTube by UpTakeVideo, below:

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