The Minnesota Senate has voted to legalize gay marriage, putting the state on the brink of becoming the 12th to allow same-sex couples to marry.

Gay Marriage
Kevork Djansezian, Getty Images
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Monday's vote sends the bill to Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton, who has promised to sign and could do so Tuesday.

The state Senate voted 37-30 to pass the bill. The bill passed the House last week. It allows same-sex weddings beginning Aug. 1.

With Dayton's signature, Minnesota would be the first Midwestern state where elected representatives voted directly to allow gay marriage. Iowa has had gay marriage since 2009, but that was due to a court ruling.

Just six months ago, Minnesota voters rejected an effort to ban gay marriage in the state constitution.

 

(Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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