Shortly after legislators introduced a bipartisan bill to legalize same-sex marriages in Minnesota, a state lawmaker made statements against the proposal.

The Star Tribune reported Wednesday that Rep. Glenn Gruenhagen, R-Glencoe, said he views homosexuality as a choice.

"It's an unhealthy, sexual addiction," Gruenhagen said.

The Legislator said his friend ran a sexual addiction clinic and "helped many homosexuals and other people come out of the lifestyle."

Formally introduced for the House and Senate on Thursday, the legislation is expected to face heavy resistance in the coming months.

The National Organization for Marriage pledged to spend $500,000 to defeat any Minnesota Republican legislator that votes in favor of the bill.

Other opponents, like Minnesota for Marriage, said the marriage amendment's defeat last fall doesn't mean Minnesotans are behind legalizing same-sex marriages.

"I think legislators are becoming aware that a vote against a constitutional amendment is not the same as a vote for legalizing gay marriage," said spokeswoman Autumn Leva.

Sen. Scott Dibble, DFL-Minneapolis, is sponsoring the bill that would repeal the 1997 ban and let same-sex couples wed in Minnesota.

The likelihood of the bill passing is uncertain, and proponents will use forthcoming committee hearings to challenge the views of same-sex marriage opponents, he said.

"I think we're close, but it's going to be a lot of work," Dibble said.

Nine other states have legalized same-sex marriage, including Minnesota's neighbor Iowa.