Gay and lesbian Minnesotans could have the freedom to legally marry as early as Aug. 1. There’s a bill that is scheduled to be debated and voted on by the Minnesota House on Thursday. The bill would legalize same-sex marriage in the state. House Speaker Paul Thissen has previously said that scheduling the vote would be a signal that the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (the state affiliate of the Democratic party) leaders secured the 68 votes needed to pass the bill.
If the House passes the bill, the next vote would be in the state Senate. But its passage has been seen as more secure there than in the House. Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton has promised to sign the bill, which would allow gay couples to start getting married in Minnesota on Aug. 1.
The Senate Finance Committee is scheduled to give a last committee look at the bill on Tuesday.
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