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Loading ...Gay Marriage Foes Call For Minnesota Amendment
03.18.2009 3:24pm EDT
(St. Paul, Minnesota) Republicans and social conservative groups are countering a proposal to make marriage gender neutral in Minnesota with a new effort to advance a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.
Republicans have failed three times in recent years to strengthen a state law barring gay and lesbian couples from marrying with an amendment to the constitution.In 2004 and 2006 it never made it out of committee.
But at a Capitol news conference, GOP leaders said the legislation to void the so-called Defense of Marriage law and make marriage gender neutral is the final straw.
“Not only is this an assault on the traditional definition of marriage, this is an assault on all religious beliefs in the state of Minnesota,” said Sen. Warren Limmer (R).
Limmer also said an amendment was needed because DOMA could be overturned by the courts. A same-sex couple denied a marry license in Hennepin County are expected to file a legal challenge to the law.
The gender neutral marriage bill was filed earlier this month.
The legislation has been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee, but no hearings have been scheduled.
Democrats control both houses of the legislature, but Republicans say Gov. Tim Pawlenty would likely veto the bill should it pass.
In a bid to make the legislation more palatable to Pawlenty, the crafters of the bill included wording that it in no way condones homosexuality ” or any equivalent lifestyle.” The bill also states the measure cannot be used to promote homosexuality in public schools.
OOPS….
I made a typo.
Please read as “United States of America” not American
Thanks
WOW!
I belong to the Cathedral of Hope in Dallas Texas. It is Christian in every way possible and the message there is Forgive, Love and Hope Excessively. The Cathedral of Hope is celebrating it’s thirty-eighth anniversary this year.
Okay, it’s basically a GAY & Lesbian, Transgender membership but there are an amazing number of Heterosexual members also.
It is the largest GLBT church in the world (this is a claim not made by the church) with over 4,000 members with millions watching our service via Television around the world.
IF gay marriage is going to be the end of the world and destroy religion, shouldn’t that have happened already or somewhere along the line in thirty-eight years.
Metropolitan Community Churches also have been around for years and they are Christian in belief, practice and understanding. These churches are all over our United States of American and also have been in existence for many years also. There are many other churches that are Christian and understand and accept GLBT’s unconditionally.
SO where is the end of the world?
And will Tim Pawlenty do anything but go along with the wingnut brigade? And how does Governor Mullet plan to pay the state’s bills when the laws reflect Albert Lea and Montevideo, not the bulk of the population who–oh! wait for it!–live in the Big Bad And Liberal Twin Cities.
“..cannot be used promote homosexuality in public schools.”
That’d be a very awkward pep rally.
Wow, it’s ironic how badly people want to take away marriage from a group of people, yet nothing is taken away from them! I also love how they assume that it assaults ALL religious beliefs. If I were to start my own religion and say that it’s okay to be LGBTQAI (and anything else), then would that not be one that’s not “assaulted”?
As for promoting homosexuality: I am a gay student, and I have to put up with the promotion of heterosexuality every single day. And they dare say that promoting homosexuality every now and then is “wrong”? I don’t think so.
“Not only is this an assault on the traditional definition of marriage, this is an assault on all religious beliefs in the state of Minnesota,” said Sen. Warren Limmer (R).
I would love one of these fear-mongering legislators to actually explain how this is an assault on religion.
Not included in the editorial is that the GOP and Right Wing Religious Minnesota Family Council said that within the next few days it would introduce a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage, civil unions, and domestic partnerships in the state. The group made the announcement at a press conference, accompanied by religious leaders who said that gay marriage would trigger the end of the world.
Only the Right Wing Religious Charlatans would believe such ludicrous proclamations! There has been Gay Marriage throughout the world, including the U.S., for years. Consequently according to their assertion they should start preparing for the end of the world. After all they have been waiting for it for in excess of 2000 years. They should be ecstatic and grateful to the Gays for making it happen.
Through Fear and Deception religion Legislates and Legalizes Discrimination and prevent Legislation that would give Equal Rights. Just assess what happened in California with Prop 8!
Not included in the editorial is that the GOP amdRight Wing Religious Minnesota Family Council said that within the next few days it would introduce a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage, civil unions, and domestic partnerships in the state. The group made the announcement at a press conference, accompanied by religious leaders who said that gay marriage would trigger the end of the world.
Only the Right Wing Religious Charlatans would believe such ludicrous proclamations! There has been Gay Marriage throughout the world, including the U.S., for years. Consequently according to their assertion they should start preparing for the end of the world. After all they have been waiting for it for in excess of 2000 years. They should be ecstatic and grateful to the Gays for making it happen.
Through Fear and Deception religion Legislates and Legalizes Discrimination and prevent Legislation that would give Equal Rights. Just assess what happened in California with Prop 8!
Minnesota is a good battle ground state. It is sufficiently liberal. It has a high profile. And it is next to Iowa. It fits as a new place to fight for the right. The time has come to start thinking rather than reacting.