HRC - Marriage Equality Arrives to Minnesota and Rhode Island

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 1, 2013
Charles Joughin

Marriage Equality Arrives to Minnesota and Rhode Island

Gay and lesbian couples can now legally marry in thirteen states, plus Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON – Today marriage equality laws went into effect in two more states – Minnesota and Rhode Island – bringing to thirteen the number of states where committed and lesbian couples can legally marry.  Couples were lined up at midnight in both states to begin applying for civil marriage licenses. 

“Today over 90 million Americans now live in states with full marriage equality,” said Human Rights Campaign national field director Marty Rouse.  “As we march toward full LGBT equality nationwide, Minnesota and Rhode Island serve as shining examples of the progress being made, and the growing support for fairness that exists all across this country.”

HRC was a key player in the work to pass marriage equality in Minnesota and Rhode Island, providing significant financial investment, staff and technical resources over many years to amplify the historic grassroots efforts of the Minnesotans United for All Families and Rhode Islanders United for Marriage coalitions. 

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.

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