http://hosted2.ap.org/RIPRJ/94df6789960948c2869c5b6429e1fe7d/Article_2013-05-07-Gay%20Marriage/id-c71ef880da054071ae3ceeeffe5ee2b6Author: Patrick Condon Source: The Providence Journal via AP
Democratic leaders in Minnesota have scheduled a vote on a same-sex marriage bill.
" "We feel comfortable that we have the votes," [House Speaker Paul] Thissen said Tuesday morning. "I think it's in line with the tradition we've had in Minnesota about respecting people, making sure everybody is included in our community and the fullness of participation in that," he said."
If it passes, it will go onto the state Senate, where people feel that a passage is more secure. This is a big turn around for the state where just two years ago, a Republican controlled house voted to put a constitutional gay marriage ban on the 2012 ballot. Voters did not support the ban during the election.
Same-sex marriage is being discussed in a few other states: Delaware may become the 11th state to legalize it this week, and Illinois will soon be voting on a similar bill in their legislature. If the Minnesota legislature votes "yes" on the bill, it will become the first mid-western state to legalize same-sex marriage through a legislative vote.
