Protest Planned Against Minn. Legislature's Gay Marriage Bill
A Minnesota-based organization advocating for laws defining marriage as being between a man and a woman will be holding a demonstration against a bill to legalize same-sex marriage.
Minnesota for Marriage recently announced that they would hold a "Lobby Day and Rally" on Thursday at the Capitol steps in St. Paul.
"Minnesotans do not want the legislature to change the LAW for marriage! They will do so if we do not take a stand," reads a press statement.
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"Join Minnesota for Marriage, fellow Minnesotans, Brian Brown (President, National Organization for Marriage), Professor Teresa Collett, Pastor Roger Thompson, and other inspirational speakers to be revealed shortly as we STAND TOGETHER in support of marriage as the union of ONE MAN + ONE WOMAN!"
In addition to speakers, the event will also include time for Minnesotans to meet with elected officials regarding the upcoming bill.
Last week, a group of state lawmakers announced that they would pursue legislation to legalize same-sex marriage in the state.
Karen Clark, Democratic-Farm-Labor Representative who was the author of the Minnesota House version of the bill, said in a statement that the bill comes in response to last November's failed referendum to get a marriage definition amendment added to the state constitution.
"Minnesotans spoke so loudly during this last election refusing to adopt that proposed constitutional amendment," said Clark.
"It was a very clear statement, and I think we're now ready to take the next step, and it means everything to our families."
Last November, Minnesota voters considered a marriage amendment. However, the measure only received 48 percent of the vote. It was one of four referendum efforts regarding marriage definition in which social conservatives lost at the ballot box.
In Maine, 53 percent of voters supported Question 1, which overturned a 2009 referendum that struck down a law legalizing same-sex marriage. In Maryland, 53 percent of voters supported Question 6 which confirmed the passage of a law by the state legislature legalizing same-sex marriage. Finally in Washington state, 53 percent of voters supported a measure passed by the state legislature legalizing same-sex marriage.
As Minnesota mulls over a law legalizing same-sex marriage, Illinois is also considering a bill that would legalize same-sex marriage. Illinois already legalized civil unions in 2011. By contrast, the Indiana legislature recently delayed a vote on a measure to legalize same-sex marriage due to a lack of support.
