Nancy Robrahn and Jennie Rosenkranz have been together for 27 years. They live in Rapid City, South Dakota, but this weekend, they’re taking a trip to Minneapolis, where Mayor Betsy Hodges will marry the couple on Saturday. When they return from their honeymoon, they’ll file a federal lawsuit in United States District Court demanding their home state recognize their union.
“We already consider ourselves married; this is a rededication of that marriage,†Robrahn, who is 68, says. “We are approaching the time when end of life decisions and plans need to be made. There are many federal protections that will become available to us through this Minnesota marriage. We hope to see the day when couples like us don’t have to travel out of South Dakota to marry.”
Rosenkranz is 72. They have four children and six grandchildren.
Two other couples will be part of the lawsuit.
“These couples show that love and commitment exist in South Dakota just as they exist in Minnesota and beyond,” says their attorney Joshua Newville. “South Dakota has failed to treat all of its citizens with the dignity and respect deserved by all people. With the filing of this lawsuit, we will lead South Dakota down a better path.”
When this week began, there were five states that did not recognize marriage equality or have lawsuits demanding it. Then, Georgia came off that list. Soon there will be just three states left: North Dakota, Montana, and Alaska.
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