Blessed in the Midwest: Chicago and Minneapolis Roll out the Red Carpet for Gay Marriage

Last month's State of the Union Address was notable for many reasons, not merely for President Obama's now-famous quip to Republicans, "I have no more campaigns to run... I know 'cause I won both of 'em." The President also reiterated his "long commitment to legal and social equality for LGBT Americans."

It was a night of affirmation for marriage equality, which continues to sweep the land due in no small part to the work of the Human Rights Campaign. Gay marriage is now legal in states that 216 million Americans call home. But HRC President Chad Griffin believes the watershed moment in the fight for marriage equality will likely come in June when the Supreme Court is expected to rule on four cases challenging same-sex marriage bans in Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Tennessee.

"The U.S. constitution does not tolerate second-class citizenship," said Griffin when news of the court's decision to hear the cases broke on the 16th. "We've reached the moment of truth - the facts are clear, the arguments have been heard by dozens of courts, and now the nine justices of the Supreme Court have an urgent opportunity to guarantee fairness for countless families, once and for all."

In the meantime, even in the traditionally conservative Midwest (where four other states in addition to Ohio and Michigan still ban same-sex marriage), several glittering, forward-thinking cities are embracing gay weddings with open arms. Here are two of our favorites:

A Walk Down the Aisle in the City of Big Shoulders

Long one of the country's most gay-friendly locales, Chicago rejoiced when Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn signed the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act into law on November 20, 2013. When it went into effect the following June it was the culmination of years of hard work from city residents, says Peter Johnson, director of public relations for the Center on Halsted, a renowned community center for LGBTQ Chicagoans.

"Many of Chicago's alderpeople were strong supporters of marriage equality in Illinois, and the champion of the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act was State Representative Greg Harris, a representative for parts of the north side of Chicago," Johnson explains. "And many social service and advocacy organizations supported the Illinois United for Marriage Coalition." That campaign, which HRC took part in, helped generate more than 34,000 phone calls and 81,000 emails to state lawmakers.

For gay couples looking to get hitched in the Windy City, plenty of venues are happy to host same-sex nuptials, but none are so welcoming - or stunning - as the W Hotels. An ardent supporter of the LGBT community, the plush brand offers City Center and Lakeshore locations, both with wedding specialists eager to help create an event as special as the couple it will unite. The W Lakeshore's recent $38 million redesign includes Altitude, the rooftop banquet room with panoramic 360-degree cityscape views - the ultimate wedding venue. The City Center location is in the heart of the Loop with classic design touches like vintage terrazzo floors, beau-arts architecture, and vaulted archways. And for those who want their four-legged friends a part of the ceremony, pets are welcome and receive luxury treatment including a W pet bed, toys and a turndown treat.

After the nuptials are done, hit up the famed Andersonville and Boystown gayborhoods, chock full of great nightspots. In Andersonville the chic, cozy Marty's Martini Bar is a favorite of locals, as is funky, kitsch-laden Mary's Attic for dancing. Hydrate, a high-energy nightclub, and the iconic Sidetrack, are located in Boystown.

Chicago is also favored with an abundance of great LGBT-centric special events. For maximum fun, think about arranging your wedding to coincide with one. Among the best are Pride Fest and the 200 float-strong Pride Parade, which take place over two separate June weekends; and Dyke March and Backlot Bash, both popular with the lesbian community.

For more information about planning a wedding in Chicago, visit Choose Chicago's LGBT wedding venue page.

Swapping Rings in the City of Lakes

Just how supportive of marriage equality was former Minneapolis mayor R.T. Rybak? After it took effect in Minnesota on August 1, 2013 he stayed up all night performing 46 same-sex weddings at City Hall. "Mayor Rybak and the City Council knew bringing marriage equality to Minnesota was the right thing to do," notes Charlie Rounds, a longtime gay rights activist and former board member of the Minnesota AIDS Project and the Civil Marriage Collaborative.

City residents were also wildly in favor of marriage equality, according to Rounds. "Fully 78 percent of Minneapolis voters supported marriage equality in the 2012 election," he details. "That's one of the highest percentages in the U.S." (As it did in Illinois, HRC put boots on the ground in the state, helping form Minnesotans United and donating $168,000 to the coalition campaign in 2013.)

Lovebirds who would like to book not only the city's most stylish locale for their nuptials but also to take the guesswork out of planning for their big day should consider W Minneapolis - The Foshay. This iconic downtown hotel features a 3080-square-foot Great Room with massive windows overlooking the city and bonuses like a complimentary bridal suite. While there are plenty of LGBT bars - such as Gay 90's and The Saloon - near the W, Rounds recommends visitors also make time to visit the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, next to the Walker Art Center, and the Mississippi River waterfront.

For more information about planning a wedding in Minneapolis, visit www.minneapolis.org.