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
‘Today, I’m prouder than ever to call Minnesota home,’ the 5th District congressman said.
Fifth district Rep. Keith Ellison applauded Minnesota for becoming the 12th state in the country to legalize same-sex marriage. The Democratic congressman released the following statement Tuesday shortly after Gov. Mark Dayton signed the bill into law: Today, I’m prouder than ever to call Minnesota home. Last fall, the people of Minnesota stood against discrimination for loving, same-sex couples. Our representatives in the state responded. Today is a great day for those who know love makes a marriage. Once again, equality has found a home in Minnesota. The law will take affect Aug. 1.
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
The bill will now move to the governor's desk to be signed into law.
After similar measures failed in past sessions, Sen. Scott Dibble's same-sex marriage bill was passed by the Senate in a 37-30 vote Monday afternoon. Dibble (D-61) and fellow Southwest Minneapolis Sen. Jeff Hayden (D-62) both entered yea votes Monday afternoon. Dibble, along with the bill's co-author Republican Sen. Branden Peterson and Reps. Karen Clark (DFL-62A) and Steve Simon (DFL-46B), introduced the bill back in February. The Minnesota House passed the measure last Thursday in a 75-59 vote. When the measure was introduced Monday, Dibble called it "a very simple bill," and added that "sometimes the simplest bills are the most powerful." Read: Dibble Introduces MN Same-Sex Marriage at MN Senate: 'A Very Simple Bill' Sen. Warren Limmer…
State Sen. Jeff Hayden, who represents parts of Southwest Minneapolis, compared prohibitions on gay marriage to past laws against interracial marriage.
Minnesota state Sen. Jeff Hayden (DFL-Minneapolis) had a message for opponents of the same-sex bill before the Minnesota Senate Monday: "It's going to be O.K." Hayden began his speech on the floor of the Senate by describing the comfort his two children had with same-sex couples, including those of several state legislators. "My children have been around [same-sex couples] their entire lives," he said. "That has enhanced their lives." Hayden referenced past laws against interracial marriages and said that had they been in effect, he wouldn't have his wife (who is white) or their two children. "We're at the end of the road," Hayden said. "Everything is going to be O.K. in Minnesota."
Southwest Minneapolis' state representative introduced his gay-marriage bill at the Minnesota Senate Monday.
Minnesota state Sen. Scott Dibble (DFL-Minneapolis) introduced his bill to legalize same-sex marriage Monday afternoon at the Minnesota Senate. Dibble called it "a very simple bill. ... Sometimes the simplest bills are the most powerful." After reading through the bill's language, substituting the version passed by the Minnesota House of Representatives on May 9, 2013, Dibble concluded by saying that the bill "is not as earth-shattering as folks might think." Patch will continue to update readers as Monday's debate continues.
The Senate approved the bill in a 37-30 vote Monday afternoon. The governor is scheduled to sign it into law at 5 p.m. Tuesday.
On the heels of the Minnesota House's approval last Thursday, the Senate also approved a bill that would allow same-sex couples to marry Monday. Watch the debate in the video window above or at The UpTake. Related at Southwest Minneapolis Patch:
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?
Also: The 5th District congressman has an autobiography coming out Sept. 24.
Rep. Keith Ellison continues to fight against a plan to use the new inflation formula as a way to compromise with Republicans and resolve a budget impasse. During a Wednesday summit on Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and veterans benefits, the 5th District congressman pledged to combat a proposed “chained consumer price index” would grow Social Security benefits at a slower rate than they grow under the current formula. “I don’t care who is talking about cuts to Social Security, we’re going to fight back,” Ellison said. “I don’t care what office they occupy. I don’t care what party they’re in. Because I’m in the Social Security Party.” Autobiography Ellison will be pitching his personal narrative to readers this fall in an upcoming …
Sunday, May 12, 2013
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development shares some advice.
Dan Johnson
5:58 pm on Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Removing it from the law (which I believe is impossible), denies that recognition for those who don't belong to any religion. It would require them to travel to a different country to get married. more ›