Gov. Mark Dayton became the first governor to speak at the annual rally held by Outfront Minnesota at the capitol on Thursday.

KARE 11 reports on the rally held as the Republican majority in the legislature is expected to put a constitutional amendment on marriage equality and other unions on the 2012 ballot. It requires a simple majority to put an amendment on the ballot, and governors in Minnesota do not have the power to veto bills with constitutional questions.

"I'm here to support those Minnesotans and Americans who want the same rights, freedoms, opportunity, respect, dignity and legal protections and legal opportunities as every other one of their fellow citizens," Dayton told the crowd, "Which is the founding principal of this country!"

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