Community Corner

Shir Tikvah Changes Marriage Policy

The change comes after Gov. Mark Dayton signed the newly passed same-sex marriage bill into law.

Editor's Note: The following is a Shir Tikvah press release.

Today, we remember beloved congregant Senator Allan Spear (z”l), Minnesota’s first openly gay legislator, who championed the cause of human rights. We are deeply proud of congregants 

Senate President Sandy Pappas and Representative Phyllis Kahn who demonstrated outstanding leadership. And we are blessed that countless Shir Tikvah members raised their voices together to bring us to this momentous day.

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In December of 2010, following years of reflection and discernment, Rabbis Michael Adam Latz and Melissa B. Simon of Shir Tikvah announced to their congregants that they would not sign wedding licenses until same-sex couples were offered equal rights under Minnesota Law. Rabbis Latz and Simon felt strongly about not being agents of discrimination, and instead working in all ways possible to affirm their values on the marriage debate.

With the passing of the same-sex civic marriage law, Shir Tikvah is proud to announce that they are overjoyed to close this chapter and open the next. Rabbis Latz and Simon are thrilled to be able to change Shir Tikvah policy and sign legal marriage documentation for all couples for whom they officiate. This change is to take effect immediately.

For the last two years, Shir Tikvah has led the way toward equal rights, first by opposing the marriage amendment limiting marriage and then by striving for equality of all loving Minnesota couples with the recent legislation. Rabbi Latz and Rabbi Simon have expressed that it has been “amazing to be a part of the discussion in creating a Minnesota where all couples have the same legal and civic rights.” Both rabbis were proud to be present at the historic signing of bill into law on Tuesday, May 14 by Governor Dayton.

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Rabbi Latz and Rabbi Simon are once again looking forward to standing under the chuppah with the loving couples of Minnesota. Said Rabbi Latz after the bill was signed into law, “Let’s go smash the glass, L’chaim!”

For more information on the previous policy, here’s the link to a previous article written at the time of the policy change: http://southwestminneapolis.patch.com/articles/shir-tikvah-rabbis-refuse-to-signmarriage-licenses-until-same-sex-couples-can-legally-wed


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