(Lavverrue, Flickr)

(Laverrue, Flickr)

Thousands of Minnesota couples are legally married, yet the state refuses to honor their marriage licenses. Under legislation introduced on Monday, Minnesota would grant the rights and responsibilities of marriage to same-sex couples that were legally married in other states.

Currently gays and lesbians can legally marry in Connecticut and Massachusetts. Marriages performed in California prior to the passing of Proposition 8 would also be covered under the bill. Thousands of Minnesota couples have taken a trip to one of these states to marry, mostly for the feeling of having that marriage certificate.

But under HF 1740, those couples could find real relief. If the bill passes — and survives a likely veto from Gov. Tim Pawlenty — those couples would find 515 new rights and responsibilities that state law currently denies them. One such couple is Jerry and Travis Fladmark.

Last August they took a trip to California to marry while it was still legal. They have been together for more than 14 years and had a wedding ceremony in Minneapolis 12 years ago.

“It felt amazing to get married in California,” said Jerry. “At first we just thought, ‘Oh, it’s just a piece of paper.’ But then we realized that is much more than that.”

The couple went to San Francisco to tie the knot. “We didn’t really feel the full effect until we were in the city hall with the commissioner and then it hit,” he said. “Tears started flowing all around, and you just realize how special that moment really is. It was so nice to say we were married!”

The Fladmarks made it to California just in time. Three months later California voters passed Prop 8, effectively ending same-sex marriage in that state.

HF 1740 would make their California license valid in Minnesota by repealing language that says same-sex marriages in other states are void. The bill maintains language barring the state from marrying Minnesota couples and will not honor same-sex marriages from other countries.

“We are excited about any progress we can make toward full equality in Minnesota,” said Jerry. “This is really just a basic question of fairness. The very specific question of fairness and recognition for GLBT couples legally married in other states is the type of legislation most Minnesotans just think is common sense in this day and age.”

While the bill faces a likely veto, it has a powerful supporter in House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher, DFL-Minneapolis, who is a co-sponsor along with Reps. Ryan Winkler, DFL-Golden Valley; Diane Loeffler, DFL-Minneapolis; Phyllis Kahn, DFL-Minneapolis; Leon Lillie, DFL-North St. Paul; Rep. Joe Mullery, DFL-Minneapolis; and Linda Slocum, DFL-Richfield.