Gay Marriage Momentum Expands to Minnesota, Illinois

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - The national momentum on gay marriage has been limited mostly to the East and West coasts, but it looks like that's about to change.

The Minnesota House votes Thursday on legalizing gay marriage, and Gov. Mark Dayton could be signing a bill as early as next week. The Illinois Senate approved it earlier, and supporters think they'll soon have enough votes in the House.

Delaware became the 11th state to approve gay marriage earlier this week, joining states like New York, Rhode Island and Washington. But Iowa has been the only state in flyover land with gay marriage, and that came due to judicial action.

Minnesota's push comes after supporters mobilized last fall to block a constitutional ban. It's also become possible as Democrats took full power of state government.