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Esme's Blog: What A Difference 1 Year Makes For Gay Marriage

Last summer almost all political experts predicted Minnesota would pass a Constitutional Amendment banning gay marriage. Not only was that amendment defeated in November, but Minnesota legalized gay marriage last month.

Then the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the Defense of Marriage Act last week, as an estimated 200,000 to 300,000 people descend on downtown Minneapolis this weekend for the Pride Festival -- the mood will undoubtedly be celebratory.

Backers of the "Vote No" campaign that lead a massive grass roots effort to defeat the Marriage Amendment point to their strategy of engaging Minnesotans in one-on-one dialogues as the key to their win.

But it wasn't just Minnesota.

Also in November 2012, Maine, Maryland and Washington legalized gay marriage. Then came the Supreme Court decisions not only striking down DOMA, but clearing the way for gay marriages to resume in California.

The tide simply appears to have turned on this issue. For those gathering at the Pride Festival this weekend there is reason to celebrate. Your time has arrived.

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