Minnesota gay marriage law reaches anniversary

Celebrating vote
Cindy Amberger, left, and her partner, Lynne Hvidsten celebrate after the Minnesota House passed the gay marriage bill Thursday, May 9, 2013.
Jim Mone/AP

It's been a year since Minnesota's gay and lesbian couples got the right to legally marry.

The anniversary of the state allowing same-sex marriage arrived Friday. It was a quieter scene than last year when couples lined up to exchange vows at the stroke of midnight.

Photos
The day gay marriage became legal in Minnesota
Midnight same-sex marriage ceremonies in Minneapolis

Thousands of gay couples have obtained marriage licenses in the first year. Minnesota is one of 19 states where gay marriage is legal. Bans have been overturned in several others but those cases continue to make their way through the federal courts.

Minnesota's political debate isn't over either. Two Republican incumbents who supported gay marriage in Minnesota have faced challenges within their party and some rural Democrats could see the issue used against them this fall.

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