Battle Over Gay Marriage in Minnesota

Legislature prepares for a vote

Minnesota's divisive fight over same-sex marriage is moving to a Capitol showdown.

Supporters of legalization are preparing to roll out House and Senate proposals as early as next month. Legislative leaders who shied away from the issue earlier now are not ruling out a vote on the measure this spring.

The push will kick off with a Summit Avenue fundraiser on Wednesday night. Richard Carlbom, architect of the effort that made Minnesota the first state in the country to defeat a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, will register as a lobbyist at the Capitol this week -- and more are coming. With just weeks to recover from the election, Minnesotans United for All Families is refiring its fundraising and the organizational operation that raised millions of dollars and galvanized tens of thousands of volunteers.