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 . Minnesota 's House passes a bill that would legalize same-sex marriage . The vote was on the same day as President Obama signed an executive order banning federal contractors from discriminating against gay employees. Its passage would make Minnesota the 12th state to legalize same-sex marriage .
Minnesota 's House passes a bill that would legalize same-sex marriage . The vote was on the same day as President Obama signed an executive order banning federal contractors from discriminating against gay employees. Its passage would make Minnesota the 12th state to legalize same-sex marriage .