As the clock struck 12 overnight, same sex couples in Minnesota and Rhode Island married. Same-sex marriage is now legal in both states, starting today.
NBC 10 Rhode Island reports that same sex weddings in the state started at 12:01 a.m. The Westboro Baptist Church plans on protesting in Providence, Pawtucket and Cranston, the cities where residents can get their marriage licenses. However, state police told the network this month that they have a security plan to stop disturbances.
According to CBS News, the occasion was marked with the first same sex marriage in Minnesota at Minneapolis City Hall. Cathy ten Broeke and Margaret Miles were the first couple married. “I didn't expect to cry quite that hard,” Broeke said.
Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak expected to only officiate 42 weddings before dawn, but ended up doing 46, notes WCCO.
“I’m used to doing 42 different things in a day. I’m just not used to them all being weddings,” he told the CBS affiliate. “But I think we’ll manage though. It’s a pretty important piece of history.”
Same-sex marriage is now legal in 13 states, plus Washington, DC. It is legal throughout New England.