Sunday, May 19, 2013
This week's selections include a new Taco Bell, more on the Buddhist monastery, another attempt at school levies and a healthier sport drink for young athletes.
Editor’s Note: Every week we bring you a sampling of stories from Patch sites in the west metro: Eden Prairie, Edina, Fridley, Golden Valley, Hopkins, Lake Minnetonka, Maple Grove, Minnetonka, Plymouth, Richfield, Shakopee, Southwest Minneapolis, St. Louis Park and St. Michael. Dibble Introduces MN Same-Sex Marriage at MN Senate: 'A Very Simple Bill' Southwest Minneapolis' state representative introduced his gay-marriage bill at the Minnesota Senate Monday. Kiffmeyer: MN Same-Sex Marriage Bill Betrays Vow that 'Nothing Would Change' Minnesota state Sen. Mary Kiffmeyer, who represents St. Michael-Albertville, recalled promise that 'no' votes on constitutional amendment to ban marriage wouldn't lead to legalization. ZipRealty Lists Westonka …
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Gov. Mark Dayton’s signature Tuesday didn’t end the heated debate around same-sex marriage.
Whatever side of the debate you fall on, there’s no denying that this week’s passage of a bill legalizing same-sex marriage was a historical moment. Minnesota became just the 12th state to sanction gay marriage when Gov. Mark Dayton signed the bill Tuesday. Patch readers quickly wrote in to share their thoughts on the moment. Eagan Patch reader Kathi Malone echoed the view of legislators who voted yes in seeing same-sex marriage as a civil right: I am so happy that finally gay people will be able to have the civil right to marry. This is truly an American vote for freedom. I applaud Sen Clausen and all other legislators who voted for this historical bill. James N added: Thank you Senator Carlson and the entire MN legislature for extending …
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
The new law's supporters and opponents traded claims and denials of bigotry.
When—if ever—is it fair to call another person a bigot? Leave your comment below. A flashpoint in the debate over Minnesota's new marriage-equality law was the use of the words "bigot," "bigoted," or "bigotry" in reference to opponents of making same-sex marriages legal. After the state Legislature approved the bill, the group Minnesota for Marriage said in a statement: Over one million Minnesotans will be forced to either affirm what they believe to be false or subject themselves to prosecution and insult as “bigots” ... under our law with the passage of this bill. 'You're a Bigot' On Monday at the state Senate, Sen. David Hann (R-Eden Prairie) took exception to accusations that opponents of the same-sex marriage bill are bigots. Sen. Dan…
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Legislation to allow gay marriage in the state cleared its final hurdle Monday, May 13. With Gov. Mark Dayton expected to sign the bill as soon as tomorrow, Minnesota will become the 12th state in the country to allow same-sex couples to marry.
The Minnesota Senate approved H.F. 1054 Monday, May 13, clearing the way for Minnesota same-sex couples to marry in the state. The 37 to 30 vote, which was seen as the last hurdle for the legislation, makes Minnesota the 12th in the United States to recognize same-sex marriages in state law. Gov. Mark Dayton's office announced a signing ceremony set for 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 14. Democrats, known locally as the DFL party, hold a 39-28 advantage in the Minnesota Senate. Debate began shortly after noon Monday, with the Republican Party introducing a pair of amendments to the bill, both of which were voted down by state Democrats, who control the Senate. It quickly moved to speeches invoking personal feelings and relationships surrounding the…
Monday, May 13, 2013
Minnesota appears to be on the fast track to becoming the 12th state in the nation to allow marriages between same-sex partners.
Minnetonka and Eden Prairie's representation in the Minnesota State Senate cast one vote for same sex marriage and one vote against on Monday. The Senate gave final approval on the bill with a 37-30 vote. Gov. Mark Dayton has said he will sign the bill into law, and the law would take affect on Aug. 1 of this year. House File 1054/Senate File 925 changes the term "marriage" in state law to "civil marriage," and expands the definition of who can get married from "a man and a woman" to "two persons." Republican Senate Minority Leader David Hann, who represents Eden Prairie and a portion of Minnetonka in Senate District 48, voted against the bill. Sen. David Hann (R-District 48) took exception to accusations that opponents of the same-sex …
The state senator's comments came after she read an emotional letter from the mother of a gay son who said she wanted to be able to dance at her son’s wedding.
Sen. Melisa Franzen (DFL-District 49) sought to move her fellow legislators by reading from a letter written by a mother who learned her son was gay in 2011, just as the gay marriage debate was ramping up in Minnesota. The letter she read stated: We began traveling with our son to new territory—and with the marriage amendment, it was public territory. … It was heartbreaking. Each voter who convinced himself of zero-sum morality—that if his family was good, mine must be evil—plunged another knife into my heart. No one will convince me that I gave birth to evil, that my son chose evil or that he deserves barriers to his happiness. I want for him what I want for all four of my children: happily ever after. I want him to find someone to love …
The local legislature, whose district includes Eden Prairie and Minnetonka, said such ‘name-calling’ shuts down honest debate.
Sen. David Hann (R-District 48) took exception to accusations that opponents of the same-sex marriage bill are bigots during Monday’s Senate debate on the bill. “We’re all opposed to the idea of unfairly discriminating and being prejudicial against our fellow citizens,” said Hann, whose district includes Eden Prairie and Minnetonka. “It’s not about that. And I think, frankly, for those of us who differ on this issue to be accused of those things is deeply, deeply offensive because it is untrue.” Hann said gay marriage supporters are shutting down honest debate by calling people names and added that the issue has been divisive because it strikes at a very fundamental understanding of human nature. For his part, Hann said that same-sex …
Rev. Dr. Robyn Provis works for marriage equality, but it's her efforts in suicide prevention that have made her a local hero. Sponsored by Grape-Nuts.
About this sponsorship: In honor of the 60th anniversary of Sir Edmund Hillary’s historic ascent of Mount Everest, Patch and Grape-Nuts are teaming up to highlight those who inspire people around them to climb their own mountains. When the news of the passage of the marriage equity bill by the Minnesota House of Representatives reached Rev. Dr. Robyn Provis, the first person she wanted to share it with was her wife of nearly eight years, Kathy Luebbe. Provis and Luebbe were married in Toronto, Canada, and for years she says they have played a game on road trips of “Now we’re legally married. Whoops, now we’re not.” The long road to marriage equity mirrors the journey Rev. Dr. Robyn Provis has taken professional and personally to arrive …
The Minnetonka state senator said she planned to vote yes on gay marriage for all the people who couldn’t vote themselves on the Senate floor.
Sen. Terri E. Bonoff (DFL-District 44) was unquestionably conscious of the historical nature of Monday’s same-sex marriage vote in the Senate—and its echoes across the country. “I am so honored to speak on the Senate floor on this issue because I know that I’m not standing up here as me, as Terri Bonoff, state senator. I’m standing here to bring a voice for all of those who are not standing on the Senate floor but feel so strongly,” Bonoff said. “I’m standing here for my family, for my friends, for constituents—but really people all over the state, all over the country and even around the world. Because this conversation we’re having today is not an isolated conversation. In chambers like ours around the country—and in places around the …
What about your life would change if same-sex marriage became legal?
A bill that would legalize same-sex marriage is expected to head to the governor after a vote in the Senate on Monday. DFLers hold a 39-28 majority, and Senate leaders predict that the bill will successfully move forward, Reuters reported. Before then, though, several legislators on the floor—from both sides of the debate—will likely offer personal anecdotes about what passage would mean to them. That’s to be expected; the issue is, at its core, a personal one. It touches on our relationship to those we love the most, our relationship to society and our relationship to God. That’s why Patch wants to know how passage would affect you. What about your life would change if same-sex marriage became legal?
Mike Hindin
10:40 am on Sunday, May 19, 2013
Welcome. I hope to see courses open to the public. A hospice is a wonderful service to our community. more ›