Politics & Government
Minnesota Governor Declares Aug. 1 'Freedom to Marry Day'
Minnesota will become the 12th (or 13th, as Rhode Island also joins in) state to recognize same-sex marriages at 12:01 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 1.
Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton issued a proclamation designating Thursday, Aug. 1, 2013, to be ‘Freedom to Marry Day’ in Minnesota.
Not one to miss the chance to weigh in on the historic hours to come, Dayton pointed to historic national documents and, of course, love in this proclamation.
The proclamation, available here, reads as follows:
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WHEREAS: Our nation’s founding principle was stated more than 237 years ago in the Declaration of Independence: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness;” and
WHEREAS: That principle was later embodied in the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution: “No State shall…deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws;” and
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WHEREAS: These deeply held American ideals of liberty and justice must assuredly protect the freedom for every person to marry the person they love; and
WHEREAS: Throughout its history, some of our country’s most important progress has been to extend equal rights and protections to everyone. And while that progress has often been difficult and initially divisive, it has always been the next step forward to fulfilling our country’s promise to every American; and
WHEREAS: On Tuesday, May 14, 2013, I was honored and proud to sign the Freedom to Marry bill into law on the steps of the Minnesota State Capitol; and
WHEREAS: On Thursday, August 1, 2013, same-sex couples shall be free to marry in the State of Minnesota, and this event will be celebrated at the stroke of midnight with marriages across our great state.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, MARK DAYTON, Governor of Minnesota, do hereby proclaim Thursday, August 1, 2013, as: FREEDOM TO MARRY DAY in the State of Minnesota.
Also on Patch:
Gay Marriage, Other Laws Take Effect in Minnesota Aug. 1The state will recognize marriages between same-sex couples, according to law, beginning at midnight Thursday. Other laws address the local beer businesses and stiffer penalties for some criminals.
- Mendota Heights-Area Legislators Oppose Gay Marriage Ban Amendment
- Marriage Amendment Boosters: Opponents 'Intimidating' Voters
- Same-Sex Marriage Bill Makes It Through Senate, House Committees
- MN Chapter of American Academy of Pediatrics Joins Marriage Amendment Battle
- Beth Jacob Opposes Marriage Amendment
- What's the Harm in Same-Sex Marriage?
- The Future of Marriage
- Reps. Hansen, Atkins Vote 'Yes' on Same-Sex Marriage Bill
- Sen. Metzen Votes 'Yes' on Same-Sex Marriage Bill
- Not Equal After All
- After DFL Wins, Could Legislature Repeal State's Ban on Same-Sex Marriage?
- Failing the Higher Standard: United States v Windsor
- Supreme Court Strikes Down DOMA, Dismisses Prop 8
- Share Your Same-Sex Marriage Story on Patch
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