Minn. gay marriage bill to be unveiled at Capitol

Published 10:02 am Wednesday, February 27, 2013

ST. PAUL, Minn. — A long-expected bill to legalize same-sex marriage in Minnesota is making its debut at the Capitol.

Sponsors of the gay marriage bill are unveiling it at a Wednesday morning press conference. They aim to repeal Minnesota’s 1997 law that prohibited marriage between couples of the same sex.

Sponsors say the bill will exempt churches from being forced to perform same-sex weddings.

The drive to legalize gay marriage in Minnesota got a boost last year when voters rejected a constitutional gay marriage ban. Gay marriage opponents say the results of that vote don’t translate to widespread support for allowing same-sex couples to legally marry.

House and Senate committees are expected to take up the proposal soon. Gov. Mark Dayton has signaled that he would sign a bill to legalize gay marriage.