|
 Massive LGBT Rights Rally At Minnesota Capitol
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
Posted: April 18, 2008 - 1:00 pm ET
(St. Paul, Minnesota) In what is described as the
biggest rally so far this year at the Minnesota Capitol, thousands of LGBT
activists and supporters lobbied for domestic partner rights and protections of
gays students.
Called Just Fair Lobby Day, it was organized by OutFront Minnesota,
the state's largest LGBT civil rights organization.
Filmmaker Dan Karslake was a featured speaker.
"I look forward to a country that doesn't allow people to deny me housing
because of who God made me to be. I also look forward to a country where I can
marry my partner of 17 years, and I can enjoy all of what that means in this
country and that is not denied me because of who God made me to be," said
Karslake, who produced the film "For the Bible Tells Me So," a movie
about the intersection of the Bible and LGBT people.
House Speaker
Margaret Anderson Kelliher also spoke.
"We’re here to keep moving Minnesota
forward," she told the crowd.
Following the rally the crowd spread out through
the legislature to buttonhole lawmakers.
Earlier this month the Minnesota Senate passed a
bill to allow local governments the option of offering domestic partner
benefits.
The legislation would enable cities, counties,
school boards, and other local units of government to offer whatever employee
benefits they choose, including domestic partner benefits for GLBT employees.
But the bill still awaits floor action in the
House. Activists called on members of the House to approve the measure.
Activists also wanted to ensure that lawmakers
saw LGBT families - a move designed to head off an attempt to amend the state
constitution to ban same-sex marriage.
The group also legislation to enable school
students to receive comprehensive age-appropriate sexuality education. OutFront Minnesota
said the bill would help students to make healthy choices now and in the future.
OutFront representatives delivered a petition to Gov. Tim Pawlenty
calling on him support the legislation.
©365Gay.com 2008
|
Entertainment
