( CNN ) -- Minnesota 's House of Representatives passed a bill that would legalize same-sex marriage , putting the Midwestern state in line to become the 12th nationwide to take that step . Rep. Karen Clark of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party of Minnesota sponsored the bill , which passed Thursday night by a vote of 75-59 . Supporters celebrated on the steps of the state capitol after the vote , chanting , `` Thank you , thank you . '' The bill will now go to the Senate , where local news reports say it is expected to pass . Gov . Mark Dayton has said he would sign it into law , according to local news website MinnPost . On May 2 , Rhode Island became the 10th state to legalize same-sex marriage . Five days later , it was the turn of Delaware , which became the 11th state to sign same-sex marriage into law . The same-sex marriage debate has polarized the United States . In March , a divided Supreme Court heard arguments over the legality of two marriage laws -- the federal Defense of Marriage Act , which defines marriage as between one man and one woman , and California 's Proposition 8 , which bans same-sex marriage . The nine justices hinted at disparate views on the hot-button issue , and it was far from clear how they will rule . A decision is expected in June . Other nations around the world are also grappling with the issue . Among them is France , where lawmakers passed a bill legalizing same-sex marriage and adoption last month despite vocal protests from conservatives . Opponents have filed a legal challenge and the bill has not yet been signed into law by the president .
Minnesota 's House passes a bill that would legalize same-sex marriage . The bill must still pass the state Senate and go to the governor before it becomes law . Its passage would make Minnesota the 12th state to legalize same-sex marriage .