Live blog: Gay marriage legal in Minnesota
Just after midnight on Aug. 1, Minnesota became the 13th state in the nation to allow same-sex marriage. We live-blogged from the scenes of the state's first weddings.
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As we wait for tonight's activities to get in full swing, two recent Star Tribune stories capture Minnesotans' feelings about the momentous change in state law:“It’s just a wonderful celebration, and we want to be part of it,” said Harvey Zuckman.
Harvey Zuckman and Phil Oxman of Minneapolis fell in love 38 years ago, and they will be part of the first wave of legal gay marriages in Minnesota: Gay and lesbian couples in wedding countdown:“To me, the moral compass is disintegrating... Not just changing — disintegrating.” said Mary O'Neill.
In the midst of the celebration about same-sex marriage, some Minnesotans are quietly mourning. -
Prepping for gay marriage at midnight at city hall #Minneapolis @startribune
by Renee JonesSchneider via twitter 8/1/2013 1:03:42 AM -
What's happening where tonight:
- Minneapolis City Hall Freedom to Marry event: Starting just before midnight, dozens of couples will be married by Mayor R.T. Rybak and Hennepin County judges. The ceremonies will be held in the City Hall rotunda and City Council chambers, with live music, cakes from Betty Crocker and a reception from 1 a.m.-6 a.m. at the nearby Hotel Minneapolis.
- Mall of America Chapel of Love: At 12:01 a.m., a couple will marry at the mall's chapel.
- Como Conservatory: There will be 10 weddings at the St. Paul site's Sunken Garden, starting at 12:01 a.m.
We'll have a team of reporters, photographers and videographers spread among these venues to capture the historic occasion. -
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While it won't be anything like Minneapolis City Hall's midnight wedding madness, St. Paul will put on its best floral display for its first same-sex wedding at midnight Wednesday. Jim Ragsdale reports from there.
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First comes love, then comes marriage ... then comes an all-night reception at the Hotel Minneapolis for 42 newlyweds and 500 or so of their family and friends. Jennifer Brooks reports from there.
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Excited for Minnesota's step onto the right side of history! At midnight, the Capitol will be filled with #LOVE & recognition. #mnmarriageby Modified Editing via twitter 8/1/2013 3:40:47 AM -
Mayor Rybak preps with the first couples in line to marry tonight. http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BQjaxQSCcAAMbcY.jpg
by Jennifer Brooks via twitter 8/1/2013 3:42:21 AM -
Practicing the vows with 5-year-old Louie, their son and ringbearer. http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BQjbc_MCQAAtYoW.jpg
by Jennifer Brooks via twitter 8/1/2013 3:45:20 AM -
View from press level at City Hall marriage ceremony http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BQjcdyxCAAAV5nO.jpg
by Eric Roper via twitter 8/1/2013 3:49:46 AM -
Jeff and Al will be the second couple married tonight. They're wearing lady slippers, the state flower. http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BQjcq-JCIAA1d7k.jpg
by Jennifer Brooks via twitter 8/1/2013 3:50:40 AM -
Gov Dayton has arrived at City Hall http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BQjd3g4CEAAT-ca.jpg
by Eric Roper via twitter 8/1/2013 3:55:53 AM -
"All you need is love," the singers inform the crowd at City Hall. http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BQjeOMVCAAIMMhB.jpg
by Jennifer Brooks via twitter 8/1/2013 3:57:26 AM -
The choir comes dressed for the occasion. http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BQjekMsCcAA-7jD.jpg
by Jennifer Brooks via twitter 8/1/2013 3:58:57 AM -
Tonight's program at Minneapolis City Hall. http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BQjfIMYCQAAvRzw.jpg
by Jennifer Brooks via twitter 8/1/2013 4:01:24 AM -
"Finally," say the posters they're handing out, an hour before the first same-sex marriage in MN. http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BQjf6ftCQAEbJDa.jpg
by Jennifer Brooks via twitter 8/1/2013 4:04:50 AM -
Rybak: "We are gathered here to make history in the name of love"by Eric Roper via twitter 8/1/2013 4:07:34 AM
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Gov Dayton gets a standing O from the crowd. "All I did was sign my name on a piece of paper," he says. http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BQjhXPRCYAE8NM3.jpg
by Jennifer Brooks via twitter 8/1/2013 4:11:10 AM -
Dayton: The real credit goes to the Minnesotans who fought to defeat the amendment last year that would have banned gay marriage.by Jennifer Brooks via twitter 8/1/2013 4:12:12 AM
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Looking at The Father of the Waters, my gaydar is CLANGING. #MNmarriage pic.twitter.com/vFDIqJp7VP
by dbrauer via twitter 8/1/2013 4:16:42 AM -
"It's our American right to marry the person we love" @GovMarkDayton #mnmarriageby leehenderson via twitter 8/1/2013 4:16:57 AM -
Governor Mark Dayton addressing the crowd at same-sex marriage ceremonies at MPLS city hall. #mnmarriage pic.twitter.com/OkvdLFjDT2
by Jay Olstad via twitter 8/1/2013 4:16:59 AM -
Sunken garden at Como Conservatory getting ready for midnight nuptials - Reid Bordson and Paul Nolle pic.twitter.com/dDapm9Y7Lw
by Jim Ragsdale via twitter 8/1/2013 4:21:19 AM -
Ropes off for the midnight wedding at the MOA @startribune #Hipstamatic #Jimmy #KodotXGrizzled
by kynhark via Instagram 8/1/2013 4:23:13 AM -
Orange and blue are the wedding colors for Holli and Amy at the Chapel of Love, MOA @startribune #Hipstamatic #JohnS #Blanko
by kynhark via Instagram 8/1/2013 4:23:16 AM -
What a beautiful, happy, proud sight walking past City Hall & seeing couples taking wedding pictures tonight. #mnmarriageby C. Riemenschneider via twitter 8/1/2013 4:24:01 AM -
a performance of "defying gravity"... yup, it's a gay wedding. #mnmarriage
by AdamDanielsUSA via twitter 8/1/2013 4:24:47 AM -
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Soon brides-to-be reach the stage. http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BQjmmAfCUAAR6XB.jpg
by Eric Roper via twitter 8/1/2013 4:34:01 AM -
The first ceremony has begun. Margaret Miles, left, and Cathy ten Broeke will be the first couple married at Minneapolis City Hall. Read more about them.
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Two by two, couples stepped forward to be married after midnight at Minneapolis City Hall.
“Finally,” read the signs volunteers handed out to the wedding guests.
“Finally,” said Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak, keeping a close eye on the clock as it ticked down to midnight and the moment same-sex couples could legally marry in his town. Read the latest from Jennifer Brooks: www.startribune.com -
Whole lot of marrying still going on at Minneapolis City Hall. http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BQkTu_SCcAARlZU.jpg
by Jennifer Brooks via twitter 8/1/2013 7:51:14 AM -
Mayor Rybak, a sign language interpreter, a family and a 3 am wedding. http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BQkUjUkCcAAixoq.jpg
by Jennifer Brooks via twitter 8/1/2013 7:54:48 AM -
Musicians entertain the wedding parties while they wait their turn. http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BQkWWbeCUAApj7a.jpg
by Jennifer Brooks via twitter 8/1/2013 8:02:40 AM -
The line for coffee at city hall is *almost* as long as the line of people waiting to wed. http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BQkXIywCYAABbIi.jpg
by Jennifer Brooks via twitter 8/1/2013 8:06:06 AM -
These newlyweds have been together for three decades. http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BQkaT6oCIAITLdV.jpg
by Jennifer Brooks via twitter 8/1/2013 8:19:58 AM -
I've attended more weddings in the past three hours than I have since...ever. http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BQkbGUVCAAA85qK.jpg
by Jennifer Brooks via twitter 8/1/2013 8:23:25 AM -
After an awesome & free reception for #mnmarriage couples, @TheHotelMpls staff goofed off in the photo booth. http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BQkdhQwCIAAvZHF.jpg
by Glen Stubbe via twitter 8/1/2013 8:34:00 AM -
No child is conceived without a mom and a dad. I think God made that happen for a reason. Yet our society continues to fall further and further away from children having moms and dads often through lack marriage or divorce and now this. Every child I believe desires and thrives best with a mom and dad who are married and committed to each other for life. Heterosexuals already ruined the traditional family with divorcing at a fast pace and now this
