The landmark wins for LGBT rights and marriage equality continue to roll in across the nation as Minnesota and Rhode Island recently became the latest U.S. states to legalize same-sex marriage.
According to the Associated Press, Minnesota began allowing same-sex marriages at midnight early Thursday morning, while Rhode Island began allowing same-sex marriage at 8:30 a.m., when municipal offices opened.
With Rhode Island and Minnesota now allowing same-sex marriages, more than 25 percent of U.S. states now recognize same-sex marriages as legal.
Gay and bisexual citizens across the two states were definitely excited about the news as an estimated 1,000 Minnesotans lined up inside Minneapolis’ City Hall, waiting to celebrate 46 same-sex weddings at the stroke of midnight, which were officiated by Mayor R.T. Rybak. Judges in the City Council’s chambers performed 21 other same-sex weddings as well.
“I didn’t expect to cry quite that hard,” beamed Cathy ten Broeke, who with Margaret Miles was the first gay couple to wed at City Hall, alongside their 5-year-old son, Louie.
Elsewhere in Providence, R.I., same-sex couples also lined up at Providence City Hall to have their weddings officiated by Mayor Angel Taveras.
“It was important for us that it be the first day,” said Zachary Marcus, a Brown University medical student who married his boyfriend, Gary McDowell. “It’s a personal day for us, and it’s also a great political victory.”
We applaud Minnesota and Rhode Island on joining the 11 other states, as well as Washington D.C., in the nation that have legalized same-sex marriage. Check out some of the other states who have recently recognized same-sex marriage below. –nicholas robinson
