Minnesota Senate OKs gay marriage; gov to sign
By PATRICK CONDON and BRIAN BAKST, Associated Press
May 13, 2013 4:29 PM CDT
Supporters and opponents of Minnesota's gay marriage bill gather in the State Capitol Rotunda in St. Paul as the Senate prepared to take up the issue, Monday, May 13, 2013 in St. Paul, Minn. The bill passed the Minnesota House last week. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)   (Associated Press)

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

Monday's vote sends the bill to Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton, who has promised to sign it 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.

See 4 more photos