This year’s Pride parade had something extra to celebrate — a U.S. Supreme Court ruling making marriage equality the law in all 50 states.
“It’s a big victory nationally. Be ready to celebrate today,” said State Senator John Marty as he shook hands with many of those who lined Hennepin Avenue to watch the parade in the 80 degree heat.
Many sported orange “Freedom to Marry” and “Vote No” t-shirts from 2012 when Minnesota became the first state to defeat a constitutional amendment that would have limited marriage to “one man and one woman.”
The parade attracted the usual colorful assortment of marchers and floats as well as many politicians.
“Happy Pride! Happy Pride!” said U.S. Senator Al Franken as he sprinted along the parade route high-fiving people in the crowd.
Rep. Karen Clark, author of Minnesota’s marriage equality law, and her wife showed off their wedding rings as they prepared to march the parade route.
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