CBS Minnesota: Couple Considering Lawsuit Against Blue Earth County To Legalize Marriage

Jack Baker and Michael McConnell have been fighting for their marriage for 45 years. In 1972, they lost an appeal before the U.S. Supreme Court, but 43 years later in 2015, the high court cited their case in their ruling legalizing gay marriage.

The Wedding Heard 'Round the World (Michael McConnell and Jack Baker)A Minnesota couple is considering filing a federal lawsuit against a Minnesota county for its failure to recognize their marriage as legal.

Michael McConnell and Jack Baker are believed to be the first gay couple in the nation to have gotten a marriage license. They got the license in 1971 in Blue Earth County after Hennepin County turned them down and Jack legally changed his name to the gender neutral Pat.

Video from September of 1971 shows their Minneapolis wedding.

At stake is not just the legality of their marriage, but their right to collect spousal social security and disability benefits.

“We are still fighting we may end up in federal court,” Baker said.

Full article + video.

Published in: CBS Minnesota
By: Esme Murphy