Another Valentine’s Day has come and gone, but the legislative debate concerning love and marriage has just begun.

The Minnesota Daily reported Feb. 14 that new legislation supporting same-sex marriage would be coming soon to the state Legislature.

As more than 2,000 people gathered at the state Capitol last Thursday to show their support for same-sex marriage, members of the Legislature also voiced their opinions on the legal definition of marriage in Minnesota. Sen. Scott Dibble, who was legally wed to his partner in California, but whose marriage status is not recognized in Minnesota, expressed his frustration in feeling like he and his partner are “legal strangers” in this state.

Last November, voters showed their opposition for an amendment to the Minnesota Constitution that would define marriage as between a man and a woman. Minnesota Public Radio News reported that 51.2 percent of voters voted “no” on Election Day, in part a testament to the massive grassroots campaign led by Minnesotans United for All Families. With the likely introduction of a bill in support of same-sex marriage in the coming weeks, it’s important to continue to show support for marriage equality in Minnesota.

By supporting the rights of all Minnesotans, we also work toward a possibly more striking change at a national level.

At the end of March, the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear two cases challenging the constitutionality of both California’s ban on gay marriage and the federal Defense of Marriage Act . Continued support for marriage equality legislation demonstrates that Minnesota is ready for all its residents to have the same rights under the law.