The Southerner would like to thank the state of Minnesota for their recent legalization of gay marriage. This step in the direction of equality will change the lives of many Minnesotans for the better, including many South High families.

“Today, love wins,” Sen. Tony Lourey said, following the passage of the amendment. His words ring true for many South families. Couples who have been together for years, including South parents, have the opportunity for their relationships to be a legally recognized. Not only that, but gay students at South will be able to get legally married in their home state, should they choose to stay here after high school or move back in the future.

Although the legalization was contested throughout the political process, most notably by the introduction of a constitutional amendment that would ban same sex marriage in 2012, it prevailed. South students played a role in both campaigns, to reject the amendment and to pass the legalization bill, including logging time at phone banks and attending rallies.

The Minnesota amendment has been referred to as an important step for same sex marriage in the Midwest and, eventually, nationally. We as an editorial board at the Southerner would like to thank everyone in the House and Senate that voted to pass this monumental legislation, as well as Governor Mark Dayton for signing the marriage bill. Their efforts are pushing the state of Minnesota in the right direction, and we are proud to live in the twelfth state to legalize gay marriage.

Hopefully now that gay marriage has been legalized, we as a state can more actively address homophobia, bullying and prejudice towards members of the LGBT community. To quote Macklemore: “A certificate on paper isn’t gonna solve it all, but it’s a damn good place to start.”