ST. PAUL, MN – Yesterday afternoon, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed the Marriage Equality Act, ensuring that same-sex couples have the freedom to marry. The historic bill passed by a vote of 75 to 59 with bipartisan support.
Rep. Jason Isaacson (DFL—Shoreview) voted in support of the bill.
“With the House already having passed a comprehensive budget that eliminates our deficit and invests in priorities like education, the time was right to give this bill a vote,” said Rep. Isaacson. “When it comes down to it, yesterday’s vote was about making sure every Minnesotan can be with the person they love. I’m glad that same-sex couples will soon be able to gain the same happiness, protections, and rights that I enjoy with my wife.”
Full video of Rep. Isaacson's floor speech can be viewed by clicking here or on the video player below:
The Marriage Equality Act passed the Minnesota House after a two year journey in which Minnesotans have been engaged in a conversation about marriage equality.
This bill would allow civil marriages for all Minnesotans, like the kind you get at City Hall and protect religious freedoms for congregations or clergy who do not support same-sex marriage. The religious protections in the bill are widely considered to be the strongest of any state that has legalized same-sex marriage.
The Minnesota Senate is expected to vote on marriage equality on Monday, May 13. Governor Dayton has signaled he would sign the bill into law, making Minnesota the 12th state in the country to recognize marriage equality.