Celebrating Minnesota Marriage Equality

Floor Speech

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, today is a historic day for Minnesota. Marriage equality will become the law in our state, and I stand with my fellow Minnesotans to celebrate the equality of love and access to civil rights for all families. I applaud the courageous legislators who voted with their hearts for justice and equality for all families.

I am inspired by the dedication and compassion of all those who have worked to make the freedom to marry a reality in our state. Just two years ago, a hurtful and discriminatory amendment was proposed to constitutionally exclude Minnesota's same-sex couples from marriage. Yet through countless thoughtful conversations and the brave sharing of personal stories, a coalition was built that defeated the amendment.
Here in Washington I am mindful that much work remains to be done. Same-sex couples who will soon be legally married in Minnesota will still not be federally recognized because the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) discriminates against them.

These couples will be denied more than 1,000 federal rights and benefits that their neighbors are eligible to receive. I will continue to work to repeal DOMA and I hope in the coming weeks the U.S. Supreme Court will rule it unconstitutional.

All Americans deserve to be treated equally under the law. I look forward to the day whenwe can celebrate marriage equality all across America. Until then, I share in the joy of another step forward in the struggle for equal rights for all, regardless of their race, age, gender, or sexual orientation.

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