Minnesota will today become the 12th state to legalize marriage for same-sex couples—the 13th if one counts the District of Columbia—after the state Senate voted yesterday (May 13, 2013) to pass a marriage equality bill. Lucky 13.
Three is a pretty lucky number these days, too, with the North Star State following Delaware and Rhode Island to become the third state in three weeks to do so. Let’s not forget, too, that since March, three Native American tribes now allow same-sex couples to marry (the Coquille Tribe, Suquamish Tribe, and the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians).
Congratulations to all of the couples and families in these jurisdictions whose lives are a little brighter, and whose successes bring all of us hope. Here’s a video of the crowd cheering after the Minnesota Senate vote. Our struggles are far from over, but we should celebrate the victories along the way. Raise a honeycrisp apple (Minnesota’s state fruit) and enjoy.