One million Minnesotans now covered by domestic partner registries

While Minnesota bans same-sex marriage, civil unions and domestic partner benefits for same-sex couples working for government offices, there is one way same-sex couples can be recognized: through domestic partnership registries. On Tuesday, the city of Richfield became the ninth Minnesota city to approve a domestic partner registry, and today LGBT advocates say that 1 million people live in cities across the state that recognize same-sex relationships.

Marriage equality stalls at the Capitol despite ‘fair-minded majority’

An unprecedented number of bills has been introduced this legislative session that would grant same-sex couples legal status similar to that of married couples. But they have all have died quiet deaths, as leaders say they don’t have the votes to pass then, even out of DFL-dominated committees.

Minnesota’s gay Republican will not vote for marriage equality bill

State Sen. Paul Koering, R-Fort Ripley, said Friday that he will not vote for the Marriage and Family Protection Act, a bill that would make Minnesota’s marriage laws gender-neutral, allowing same-sex couples many of the rights currently denied by Minnesota statute. Koering, who is gay and a Republican, said he would vote against it because the state faces bigger problems.

Marriage Equality bill likely to drop Thursday

The much anticipated Marriage and Family Protection Act is likely to be submitted in the Minnesota Senate Thursday morning, bill proponents say. The act would make Minnesota statutes related to marriage gender neutral and would open the door for same-sex marriage. Bill supporters are planning a gathering of supporter at the Capitol Thursday morning to mark the occasion and show legislators their support for marriage equality.

Same-sex couples set to sue Minnesota over marriage rights

As many as 10 same-sex couples will soon file a lawsuit against the state of Minnesota for the right to marry. It’s a controversial move, one that some in the gay and lesbian community think is ill-timed, but those couples who are putting their money on the line and their lives under a microscope say the time is always right to fight for equality.

I sat down with Doug Benson, founder of the organization Marry Me Minnesota, a nonprofit group that formed last year and that is helping to organize the lawsuit. Benson and his partner are also part of the planned lawsuit.