Minnesota officially became the 12th U.S. state to approve same-sex marriage May 14 when Gov. Mark Dayton appeared before a jubilant crowd to sign a marriage equality bill into law.

“What a day for Minnesota,” Dayton told the spectators, who huddled on the steps of the State House in St. Paul. “What a difference a year and an election can make in our state.”

Dayton’s signature came just a day after the state Senate approved it with a 37-30 vote, the Associated Press reported.

“Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness should certainly include the right to marry the person you love,” he noted.

Echoing those sentiments was State Rep. Karen Clark and Sen. Scott Dibble, who are both openly gay.

“I wish everybody could be right here and see what I see,” Dibble, who thanked his husband of four years during his speech, noted. “Today is a day for rejoicing and celebrating in Minnesota. The dream of a life filled with joy, a happy, healthy family — that sounds so normal — and it’s gonna come true.”

Dibble went on to call the bill’s passing “a legacy we can be proud of.”

The first lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) couples will be allowed to tie the knot when the law takes effect on Aug. 1.

Huffington Post