Gay rights supporters rallied at the Minnesota state capital in St. Paul this week in a show of support for same-sex marriage.
One of the state's most high-profile gay rights group gathered spiritual leaders and activists in the Capitol rotunda Thursday.
OutFront Minnesota, is pushing a bill in the Legislature that would make laws regulating marriage gender-neutral.
"For years, many Minnesotans thought that support for marriage equality was simply incompatible with religious faith," said OutFront Minnesota Executive Director Amy Johnson said.
Besides religious speakers, various politicians voiced their support for a marriage equality bill and spoke of their previous support of gay equality.
State lawmakers could hold hearings this year in an effort to legalize gay marriage.
The rally took place just a few hours before Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty gave his final State of the State address in the House chamber.
Previous bills in the Minnesota Legislature have stalled during Pawlenty's two terms as governor as he has made it clear he would veto them. The governor opposes gay marriage.
Filed under: Minnesota
