After a decade in which dozens of states passed anti-marriage laws and constitutional amendments, the momentum has reversed. The number of states that accept equal marriage is growing, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see the pace of acceptance accelerate in the years to come.

The latest state to allow equal marriage is Washington, where a bill just passed the legislature and is awaiting the Governor’s signature.

Meanwhile, here in Minnesota, we’re still fighting a decade-old culture war over a constitutional amendment banning equal marriage, which is already banned by law. While other states are extending rights to more of their citizens, we’re going to poke the gay and lesbian community in the eye by denying them equal rights a second time. Minnesota conservatives want us to loudly reaffirm to all gay Minnesotans that they are second-class citizens.

Is anyone else ashamed to see Minnesota moving backwards like this? We were once leaders when it came to equality and civil rights. Now, while states around the country are extending equal rights to their citizens, conservatives want us to do just the opposite. That’s just not right. We should be among those states embracing families of all types and honoring their commitments.