Minnesota voters voted against an amendment on Nov. 6 that would have defined marriage as being between a man and woman in the state's constitution, though it isn't likely to end the local debate over which couples should have legal access to marriage rights.
With the rejection, the state became the first in the country to shoot down a constitutional amendment limiting marriage equality reports the Duluth News Tribune.
Out of the four same-sex marriage referenda voted on across the country yesterday, Minnesota's "Amendment 1" has perhaps been in the headlines the most -- thanks in part to Minnesota Vikings punter Chris Kluwe, among others.
Kluwe, who penned a controversial letter to a Maryland legislator in defense of same-sex marriage, also challenged Minnesota Rep. Mary Franson (who has claimed to be "under attack by those who oppose traditional marriage") to a debate.
Gay marriage remains illegal in the Minnesota, but without the constitutional amendment, making it legal in the future will be easier for pro-equality advocates.
In other big wins for marriage equality, Maine and Maryland legalized gay marriage on Tuesday and Washington made it official on November 7, due to the state's mail-in voting system, which required a bit more time for an official tally to be determined.