Last November, Gusties overwhelmingly voted no on a constitutional amendment that would have made it impossible for same-sex couples to someday get married in the state of Minnesota. We kept it out of the state’s constitution, but same-sex marriage remains illegal.
A couple weeks ago, two bills were introduced to the Minnesota Legislature: SF925/HF1054. These are identical bills that would legalize same-sex marriage in Minnesota. On Tuesday, March 12, the Minnesota Senate Judiciary Committee and Minnesota House Civil Law Committee passed the Freedom to Marry bill and recommended it move to each the Senate and House floor for a final vote. If each floor votes YES, then the bill would be sent to Governor Mark Dayton to sign into law. Governor Dayton publicly supports marriage equality: “I want Minnesota to be a state where no one is told it is illegal to marry the person you love.” Governor Mark Dayton, February 6, 2013.
I campaigned against the amendment in the fall and I support the freedom to marry now. Why? The freedom to marry is not a political issue. The freedom to marry is an issue of basic human dignity that has worked its way into the political realm. I believe that love is love, and I cannot fathom the idea I can marry the person whom I love, but some of my closest friends cannot.
The government should not participate in discrimination. The government should not be in the business of telling people who they can and cannot love and marry. The government should be in the business of defending people’s equal’s rights. Martin Luther King Jr. once said “Justice too long delayed is justice denied.” The freedom to marry has long been too long delayed. Not passing this legislation would be to further deny our friends, families and neighbors their human dignity. Now is the time and this is the year to grant the freedom to marry for all Minnesotans.
Gusties for Marriage Equality Lobby Day
Gusties are planning an excursion to the Minnesota State Capitol to urge their legislators to support the freedom to marry and SF925/HF1054. To learn more information on this event, please visit the Facebook event page: http://www.facebook.com/events/540481265974943/
Here is what other Gusties are saying about Marriage Equality:
“I support marriage equality because I believe all people are equal. I see this issue as nothing more than an issue of civil rights.” Sam Bernard ’16.
“By not supporting marriage equality, you are making citizens, Minnesotans, second class to everyone else, which is not right and shouldn’t be tolerated.” Annalise Dobbelstein ’14.
“It’s a human rights issue. I don’t see how in good conscious we can claim to be following the constitution and yet deny a group of people the basic human dignity of publicly acknowledging and making a commitment to the person they love. Everyone should have the right to make mutual decisions, sit next to a hospital bed, inherit money, fight and make up with their partner regardless of sex or gender. Love is love. Plain and simple. It’s about hearts not parts.” Karla Leitzman ’13.
“I support marriage equality because I believe there is no freedom or justice for all without equality for all.” Nicole Ektnitphong ’15.
“My good friend Marty once said: ‘I’m all for gay marriage. I think they should get the same opportunities to suffer like everyone else.’” Gustav Bruhl ’16.