Minnesota Senate Approves Same-Sex Marriage Bill, Governor Will Sign

The Minnesota Senate approved H.F. 1054 Monday, May 13, clearing the way for Minnesota same-sex couples to marry in the state.

The 37 to 30 vote, which was seen as the last hurdle for the legislation, makes Minnesota the 12th in the United States to recognize same-sex marriages in state law.

Democrats, known locally as the DFL party, hold a 39-28 advantage in the Minnesota Senate.  

Debate began shortly after noon Monday, with the Republican Party introducing a pair of amendments to the bill, both of which were voted down by state Democrats, who control the Senate. It quickly moved to speeches invoking personal feelings and relationships surrounding the House bill.

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“We have the another opportunity today to step into the bright sunshine of civil rights,” said Sen. Ron Latz, a DFLer from St. Louis Park. Marriage, he added, is a civil contract, not merely an event based on religious ceremony.

Sen. Scott Dibble, who sponsored the Senate’s version of the bill and allowed his file to by replaced by the language of H.F. 1054, said he understood the argument would be extensive, and discussion lasted more than three and a half hours.

His co-author on the Senate bill, Sen. Teri Bonoff, (DFL, Minnetonka) said she comes from a district divided but was voting yes. 

“I’m standing here for my family, for my friends, for constituents—but really people all over the state, all over the country and even around the world. Because this conversation we’re having today is not an isolated conversation. In chambers like ours around the country—and in places around the world—these same conversations are taking place.”

The bill, however, put those who do not approve of homosexuality and gay marriage in a poor position, said Burnsville Sen. Dan Hall.

“God help us all,” he said.

Republican Branden Petersen of Andover, a Republican who supported the bill, was given one of the privileged final speaking positions.

Petersen said if he didn’t support the bill “I couldn't wake up in the morning, look myself in the mirror & say I'm honestly doing the work that I need to do."

Original story: History makes its way to the Minnesota State Senate today as a bill allowing the state to sanction same-sex marriages, making Minnesota the 12th state in the nation allowing "gay marriage," comes to the floor at noon. 

The State Senate will begin its debate and hold an eventual vote on the same bill that cleared the State House last week, H.F. 1054. The bill was cleared by the Senate General as a substitute for S.F. 925, and will include the same amendments it carried after Thursday's historic 72-59 vote in the House. 

If approved, Gov. Mark Dayton said he will sign the bill into law, and the law would take affect on Aug. 1 of this year. 

Sen. Scott Dibble (Minneapolis), sponsor of the companion Senate bill and an openly gay member of the Minnesota Legislature, will most likely present the bill for introduction upon third reading to Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk (Cook) around noon. 

Bakk has told multiple media outlets the majority DFL has the votes in line to pass the bill. 

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Today's coverage of the Senate from around Minnesota Patch: 

• Dibble Introduces MN Same-Sex Marriage at MN Senate: 'A Very Simple Bill'
• Latz: Marriage is Not a Uniquely Religious Event
• Torres-Ray: Proposed Exemptions to MN Gay Marriage Bill 'Against Our Democracy'
• Goodwin: Adding Exemptions to MN Same-Sex Marriage Bill 'Discriminatory'
  
• Minneapolis Senator on same-Sex Marriage in Minnesota: 'It's Going to Be OK'
• Sen. Wiger Says '12 Marriage Amendment Initiative Created 'Sea of Change'
  
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• Kiffmeyer: MN Same-Sex Marriage Bill Betrays Vow that 'Nothing Would Change'
• Latz to Legislature: ‘Do Not Vote Out of Fear of Your Constituents’
• Roseville's Sen. Marty Shares Story of Lesbian Couple During Senate Floor Debate
• Senate Minority Leader: I'm Not a Bigot Because of Gay Marriage Opposition