Absorbing the incredible marriage equality momentum of 2013, Ohio Democrats have kicked up speed on an effort to bring marriage equality to their state. It starts with a fundraising effort that aims to dismantle the state's ban on same-sex marriage.

After a lengthy and typically-contentious debate, Minnesota's House has approved marriage equality legislation. The measure now heads to the state Senate, where it is likely to be taken up over the weekend. 

Minnesota could be state #12 by the end of the weekend, y'all, and the first state in the Midwest to pass marriage equality by legislature.

Congrats, Minnesota LGBT on this pivotal step!

Illinois Republican Party Chairman Pat Brady made news earlier this year for coming out in support of marriage equality, then again on Tuesday when he abruptly resigned from his post. Though he said his resignation was definitely not due to minor backlash from the GOP over same-sex marriage, today NOM's head homophobe Brian Brown is carving a lonely notch in his bedpost, whether or not its deserved.

We need all the votes we can get in the Illinois House right now to keep the marriage equality momentum moving along to a vote before May 30. We got just the spark we needed over the weekend when GOP Rep. Mark Sandack bravely appeared outside his office to announce that he'd be voting in favor of marriage equality. There, a crowd of anti-gay activists made their discontent with Sandack's announcement known, yet he persisted. 

The applause-worthy video after the break.

The few months of work ensuring we have the votes necessary to pass marriage equality in the Illinois House may have come to an end as this, the final hurdle in the legislation, is expected to come at any moment. 

The Cleveland Plain Dealer publication decided to take the low road in its coverage of the local murder of transgender woman Cemia Acoff. Referring to Cemia as "oddly dressed" and "it" in its reporting, the Plain Dealer is being called out by GLAAD and other groups for its outrageous lack of professionalism. 

Do the editors of the New York Post run this Midwest paper?

Details follow.

The homophobic forces in Iowa still have some fight left in them when it comes to the nearly four-year old decision by the state's Supreme Court that paved the way for marriage equality. After unsuccessfully attempting to have the justices fired, anti-gays in the state are now trying to give them a pay cut. 

You always hope you never have to report this kind of story again after the last time, but here we are. 

Kenneth Weishuhn, an openly gay 14-year-old Iowan, has died from suicide after reportedly receiving death threats from homophobic bullies. 

On the high heels of Illinois state Sen. Mark Kirk's evolution to marriage equality arrives support from Rep. Ed Sullivan Jr. The Illinois House Republican came around to support same-sex marriage over the weekend, citing his gay mother-in-law as the impetus for his decision. Details follow.

Really, Kansas?

A bill has been proposed in Kansas that would allow officials to possibly isolate or severely restrict the public movements of the HIV+ or those suffering from AIDS.

The outrageous details, after the break.

Next week's highly possible marriage equality vote in the Illinois House might not be as sure of a bet as we had hoped. Chicago Magazine has the first tangible report of real numbers and support in the House after the break. 

After a long night of delays and debate, the Illinois House Executive Committee passed the Marriage Equality and Religious Freedom Act in a vote of 6 - 5!

The measure will now go to the full House floor for a vote, it's final hurdle before being signed by Gov. Quinn into law. 

Equality Illinois reminds us that there are still Illinois reps who are unsure of how they'll vote when the legislation comes their way. If you live in Illinois, head here to help them make up their minds.