"Today, love wins," state Sen. Tony Lourey, ,DFL-Kerrick, said after the Minnesota Senate voted 37-30 to legalize same-sex marriage.

A basic sense of respect for human relationships, as reflected in the quote, is reason enough for Minnesota to legalize same-sex marriage, as the House voted to do last week and as the Senate affirmed on Monday. (The governor's signature is expected Tueseday.)

Even so, there are practical benefits, too, including the state's ability to attract and retain talented workers. It also should be noted that this historic change, while not universally accepted, is being made the way changes to laws should be made: at the Capitol, by elected representatives of the people, following a lengthy, spirited and exhaustive debate.

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