St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman proclaimed May 13 to 17 ‘Freedom to Marry Week’ in the city. Rainbow flags were put atop the Wabasha Street Bridge, which has been temporarily named the ‘Freedom to Marry Bridge,’ the city said. (City of St. Paul)
Minnesota is one step closer to becoming the nation’s 12th marriage-equality state, after the Senate approved the measure by a vote of 37-30 on Monday afternoon.
The House passed the bill last week, and Gov. Mark Dayton plans to sign it into law at 5 p.m. Tuesday. Marriage equality will take effect Aug. 1.
Minnesota is the first state in the Midwest to add marriage equality legislatively. Illinois could soon become the second and the 13th with marriage equality overall. Gov. Pat Quinn is demanding a House vote on a marriage equality bill that’s already passed the Senate before the legislative session ends May 31.
The Iowa Supreme Court brought marriage equality to Midwestern state in 2009.
