Baker v. Nelson

When Jack Baker and Michael McConnell became the first same-sex couple in the United States to apply for a marriage license, in 1970, Hennepin County clerk Gerald R. Nelson rejected their application. They then sued Nelson, claiming a constitutional right to marry in what would become a landmark Supreme Court Case.

Map of Minnesota showing the results of the marriage referendum included on ballots for the election held on November 6, 2012. Counties marked in red indicate a majority of “no” votes; counties marked in green indicate a majority of “yes” votes.

Marriage Amendment referendum results

Map of Minnesota showing the results of the marriage referendum included on ballots for the election held on November 6, 2012. Counties marked in red indicate a majority of “no” votes; counties marked in green indicate a majority of “yes” votes.

Color image of the Minnesotans for Marriage booth at the Minnesota State Fair. Photographed by Tony Webster on September 2, 2012.

Marriage amendment supporters at the Minnesota State Fair

Minnesotans for Marriage booth at the Minnesota State Fair. Photographed by Tony Webster on September 2, 2012.

Color image of civil rights leader Julian Bond and Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton confering at a rally held to demonstrate opposition to Minnesota Marriage Amendment 1. Photographed by Bobak Ha’Eri on June 19, 2012.

Julian Bond and Mark Dayton

Civil rights leader Julian Bond and Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton confer at a rally held to demonstrate opposition to Minnesota Marriage Amendment 1. Photographed by Bobak Ha’Eri on June 19, 2012.

Minnesota for Marriage logo, ca. 2012.

Minnesota for Marriage logo

Design used to promote the group Minnesota for Marriage.

Color image of a Minnesota United for All Families t-shirt, 2012.

Minnesota United for All Families t-shirt

Issued by Minnesotans United for All Families, a coalition that opposed passage of the 2012 Minnesota Marriage Amendment. The amendment would have limited marriage to opposite-sex couples.

Color image of a cardboard lawn sign distributed by Minnesotans United for All Families in opposition to the Minnesota Marriage Amendment, proposed in 2012.

Minnesota Marriage Amendment yard sign

Cardboard lawn sign distributed by Minnesotans United for All Families in opposition to the Minnesota Marriage Amendment, proposed in 2012.

Color image of Demonstrators gather at the State Capitol in St. Paul to show their support of Minnesota Amendment 1. Photographed on May 20, 2011, by Flickr user Tom Morris.

Amendment supporters at the State Capitol

Demonstrators gather at the State Capitol in St. Paul to show their support of Minnesota Amendment 1. Photographed on May 20, 2011, by Flickr user Tom Morris.

Color image of demonstrators gathered at the State Capitol in St. Paul to show their opposition to Minnesota Amendment 1. Photographed on May 20, 2011, by Flickr user Flickr user Fibonacci Blue.

Amendment opponents at the State Capitol

Demonstrators gather at the State Capitol in St. Paul to show their opposition to Minnesota Amendment 1. Photographed on May 20, 2011, by Flickr user Fibonacci Blue.

Color image of Minnesota Representative Terry Morrow (DFL) speaking on the House floor against SF 1308, 2011.

Representative Terry Morrow (DFL)

Minnesota Representative Terry Morrow (DFL) speaks on the House floor against SF 1308. Photographed on May 20, 2011, by Flickr user Tony Webster.

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