minnesota-gay-marriage-lynne-ostermanSame-sex marriage in Minnesota now moves forward after victories in the House and Senate panels on Tuesday.

The House Civil Law Committee passed a bill to legalize gay marriage Tuesday night, with a 10-7 party divided vote, all Democrats on board while all Republicans opposed, and the Senate Judiciary Committee had passed a bill earlier Tuesday. The bill will now move to the floor, where itโ€™s expected to be voted on later this season.

Tuesday nightโ€™s results came after a day of emotional hearings, including Lynne Osterman, a former lawmaker in St. Paul who casted a vote for a constitutional ban against same-sex marriage in 2004. Through tears, she explains, โ€œI can tell you from experience that you will have to live knowing that a โ€˜Noโ€™ vote is not fair, itโ€™s not respectful, and itโ€™s not equal. I blew my vote, and Iโ€™m imploring you to please get this right.โ€

Watch her testimony here: