By Sofia Perpetua
NBCNews.com
Originally published May 15, 2013
As thousands cheered outside the state Capitol with rainbow and American flags, Governor Mark Dayton signed a bill on Tuesday that makes it possible for same-sex couples to get married.
Minnesota is the 12th state to pass a gay marriage bill and the first Midwestern state to do so through a legislative vote.
"What a day for Minnesota!" Dayton, a Democrat, declared moments before putting his signature on a bill. "And what a difference a year and an election can make in our state."
The bill was signed a day after it was approved by the Senate in a 37-30 vote.
"It is an overwhelming joyful day, the culmination of years of work. Two years ago it would have been unimaginable to be here," said Jake Loesch, communications director with Minnesotans United, a LGBT group. "It was incredible, we had 7,000 people cheering as the bill as signed, it was probably the biggest crowd the Capitol has ever seen."
The entire story is here.
