Bill signing today at 5 PM at the Capitol in St. Paul:
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/minn-governor-sign-bill-allowing-gay-marriage-19173664
The State will no longer refuse to recognize marriages between persons of the same sex. This change has come about despite heated opposition from religious denominations that object to same sex marriage on theological grounds. Effective August 1, the State will not take sides in this theological dispute, and will recognize same sex marriages celebrated in religious ceremonies -- including in many of the churches to which our founding fathers belonged -- and in civil ceremonies. As has always been the case, no church, temple or other religious organization is required to perform a marriage between persons of the same sex, just as no church, temple or other religious organization is required to perform a marriage between persons of different religious affiliation, a second or third marriage, or any other marriage it does not agree with.
Congratulations to the many Minnesota lawyers, including Dale Carpenter of the University of Minnesota law faculty, who helped bring about this important reform of our State law.