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 …
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 …
Saturday, May 11, 2013
Minnesota Representatives approved with a 75-59 vote Thursday a bill legalizing same-sex marriages in the state, putting it on the road to become the 12th state in the nation to do so.
Friday, May 10, 2013
The bill now moves on to the state senate as Minnesota Democrats hope to make the state the 12th in the nation to legalize gay marriage. Gov. Mark Dayton has vocally supported the legislation.
UPDATE: Minnesota Representatives approved with a 75-59 vote Thursday a bill legalizing same-sex marriages in the state, putting it on the road to become the 12th state in the nation to do so. The vote came at about 3 p.m. Thursday, May 9, about three hours after the bill was introduced. This is about honoring difference," bill sponsor Karen Clark said. "I respect the other point of view. But there is something about being able to marry the love of your life." Clark, a Democrat from Minneapolis, recognized her partner of 26 years in the assembly's audience. The vote came nearly six months to the day after a 2012 vote on a Republican-sponsored amendment item defining marriage as a union between man and woman. That, of course, was …
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
The Minnesota House of Representatives passed the bill 75-59 on Thursday, May 9, 2013.
Watch a replay of the Minnesota House of Representatives debate and vote on a bill to make same-sex marriage legal on Thursday, May 9, 2013. The bill passed after three hours of debate by a vote of 75-59. The YouTube above has all the action from the House floor via The UpTake. Do you want to urge your fellow Patch readers to support one side or the other of this issue? Write up your take on this in our Local Voices section! Email your editor for how to get started (look for their email address in the top-right corner of this page).
mike savick
9:39 pm on Sunday, May 19, 2013
Donald, The Serenity Prayer might apply. The first 4 lines are universal for anyone who believes in God. God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time; Enjoying one moment at a time; Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I … more ›