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Rev. Roger Lynn
Sunday celebration for the 52nd anniversary of the first known same-sex marriage, which was performed in Minneapolis.
Born	1938 (age 86–87) Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S.
Education	Central High School (1956) Hamline University (1956-57) University of Minnesota (1960) Garrett–Evangelical Theological Seminary (1964) University of Dubuque (1967)
Occupation	United Methodist Minister
Known for	performing the first legal same-sex marriage in known history.
Spouse	Sarah Lynn Dagg

Rev. Roger Lynn performed the first legal same-sex marriage in known history. Born (10 June 1938) and raised in St. Paul, Minnesota, he graduated from Central High School before receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Minnesota. Graduation from seminary (1963) led to ordination in the Methodist Church and a Master of Divinity degree from Garrett Theological Seminary.

Open opposition to the war in Viet Nam ended an appointment (1967) to "Minister of Education" at Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church. Then, a transfer to street ministry (1971) ended after Rev. Lynn performed the marriage of Jack Baker and Michael McConnell.

For the next ten years, Rev. Lynn provided residential treatment for chronic mentally ill young adults as Director of a facility for People Incorporated. Upon return to full-time ministry, he served the Long Prairie and Grey Eagle United Methodist Churches (five years) and the Walker Church in Minneapolis’ Powderhorn Neighborhood (nine years).

After retirement (2002), Rev. Lynn served as part-time "Minister of Pastoral Care" (two years) at the Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church, where members celebrated the marriage he performed in 1971.

1. ^ Before 1970, no wedding conducted without a legal license was a marriage, even if blessed in a church.
   • Source: Black's Law Dictionary, Revised Fourth Edition, West Publishing Co. (1968).
     • (page 1123) MARRIAGE: Marriage, as distinguished from the agreement to marry and from the act of becoming married, is the civil status, condition, or relation of united in law for life, for the discharge to each other and the community of the duties legally incumbent on those whose association is founded on the distinction of sex. 1 Bish.Mar. & Div. § 3; Collins v Hoag & Rollins, 121 Neb. 716, 238 N.W. 351, 355; Allen v. Allen, 73 Conn. 54, 46 A. 242, 49 L.R.A. 142.
     • (page 1124) MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE: An instrument which certifies a marriage, and is executed by the person officiating at the marriage; it is not intended to be signed by the parties. Spencer v. Spencer, 84 Misc.Rep. 264, 147 N.Y.S. 111, 113.
2. Sources:
   • YouTube video by WCCO - CBS News Minnesota, "Minneapolis church marks 52nd anniversary of first legally-recognized same-sex marriage in US history" (3 September 2023) and
   • Video online by Logan Chelmo, "Honoring Rev. Roger Lynn" (6 June 2021)
3. High School Diploma (1956) after
   • Monroe High School, St. Paul (1952-53)
4. Pre-seminary from the state's oldest private college or university, being founded in 1854 as a Methodist coeducational institution.
5. Bachelor of Arts degree
6. Master of Divinity degree
7. Master of Sacred Theology
   • Clinical Pastoral Education at the University of Minnesota Hospitals, one quarter (fall of 1963) and
   • Clinical Pastoral Education at Mayo Clinic Hospitals and Rochester Psychiatric Hospital (1966-67)
8. Sources: "Roger Lynn's Resume" (7 January 2025)