According to this Cornell site, Minnesota doesn't recognise common law marriages. BUT, another site I checked, said they would recognise them, IF they became so in another state.

There are good resources at www.findlaw.com

I don't think most of the lesbigay community would mean for this to exclude hetero partners; it just sounds like an oversight as Joe said. Best bet is talk to your Union rep and/or a lawyer. Good luck.

kat