MINNEAPOLIS — Dozens of supporters of same-sex unions gathered in front of the federal courthouse in Minneapolis as the U.S. Supreme Court prepared to consider two landmark cases involving gay marriage.

Organizer Jacob Reitan said the vigil Monday night was “to light the way” for the court.

Minnesotans Scott Mayer and John Zeches have been together 19 years and believe the timing is finally right for the high court to affirm same-sex unions. Zeches said that when he was younger, people saw differences in human beings, but now, younger people see variety — and that’s positive.

Today’s hearing involves California’s ban of same-sex marriage. On Wednesday, the justices will consider the law that blocks federal benefits to same sex couples in the nine states and District of Columbia where gay marriage is legal.