Same-Sex Marriage Legalized in Richfield, Minnesota

Late Wednesday night, many Richfield same-sex couples joined others around the state celebrating the legalization of same-sex marriage in Minnesota. Minnesota will become the 12th state to recognize same-sex marriages at 12:01 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 1. 

Richfield's state representatives and senators voted to legalize same-sex marriage along with a majority of their colleagues in the state legislature earlier this year. Governor Mark Dayton signed the bill into law this spring, and proclaimed Thursday to be "Freedom to Marry Day."

Both legalization and last year's failed constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage divided Richfield—between 35 and 45 percent of the city voted for the amendment, according to the Secretary of State's office—and no more so than in its houses of worship. Berea Lutheran Church and Mount Calvary Lutheran Church found themselves on either side of the issue. The city's Methodists found themselves similarly split, and some of Richfield's Catholics were at odds with their churches and with Archbishop John Neinstadt.  

Legalization's ultimate impact on Richfield remains unclear. Wedding-related businesses are expected to see a boost in business. David's Bridal, for example, may see a jump in sales from lesbian couples getting married. However, as of this writing no Richfield businesses were listed in Wedding Equality, a register of LGBT-friendly wedding-related businesses.

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