Minnesota 12th state to legalize gay ‘marriage’

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota became the 12th state to legalize gay “marriage” May 14, continuing a trend that has seen the number of states that have redefined marriage double within the past year. Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton, a Democrat, signed the bill May 14, one day after it passed the state Senate, 37–30. It had passed the state House, 75–59. Delaware and Rhode Island also approved gay “marriage” this year after voters in Washington state, Maine and Maryland OK’d gay “marriage” laws last year.

Passage of the Minnesota bill was particularly discouraging for traditional groups because a constitutional marriage amendment — which would have defined marriage as between one man and one woman — was defeated by voters November 2012, 52–48. If it had passed, gay “marriage” could not have been legalized. Minnesota would have joined 30 states that have similar constitutional amendments. The bill will take effect Aug. 1.