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
State Sen. Barb Goodwin, who represents Fridley, spoke in favor of the bill to legalize gay marriage in Minnesota that passed the state Senate Monday.
Updated below: Minnesota state Sen. Barb Goodwin (DFL-Columbia Heights), who represents Fridley, spoke on the floor of the Minnesota Senate Monday against adding exemptions for people who oppose gay marriage to the bill to legalize same sex marriage. Goodwin called the amendment offered by state Sen. Paul Gazelka (R-Nisswa) "one of the most discriminatory things I have seen in a long time." The amendment, to allow people to refuse services related to gay marriages based on the service-providers sincerely held religious beliefs, failed to pass. "It violates every human rights statute ... that we have," Goodwin said on the Senate floor. "It's important to separate our religious beliefs that we want to impose on others." Goodwin said the …
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 …
The Minnesota Senate passed the gay-marriage bill on Monday, May 13, 2013. The Minnesota House approved it last week, so Senate approval sends it to the governor's desk.
The Minnesota Senate debated and voted to pass a bill making gay marriage legal in Minnesota on May 13, 2013. Watch full video of the debate and vote here or at The UpTake.
Sunday, May 12, 2013
This week's selections include a new Buddhist monastery, 100-meter dash record, Southdale Center on TV, hospital milestone and a record-breaking betting day.
Editor’s Note: Every week we bring you a sampling of stories from Patch sites in the west metro: Eden Prairie, Edina, Fridley, Golden Valley, Hopkins, Lake Minnetonka, Maple Grove, Minnetonka, Plymouth, Richfield, Shakopee, Southwest Minneapolis, St. Louis Park and St. Michael. Police Release Maps in Search for Mandy Matula Eden Prairie police have released maps of the areas where Mandy Matula, the missing Eden Prairie woman, might be located. The areas are in Benton, Carver, Sherburne, Stearns and Wright counties. 3 Years, 3 Months Behind Bars for Ex-City Staffer on Child Porn Conviction Scott Andrew Bradley of Oakdale, who once worked as communications coordinator for the City of Richfield, got the maximum sentence. MN Same-Sex Marriage…
Friday, May 10, 2013
The bill now moves on to the state senate as Minnesota Democrats hope to make the state the 12th in the nation to legalize gay marriage. Gov. Mark Dayton has vocally supported the legislation.
UPDATE: Minnesota Representatives approved with a 75-59 vote Thursday a bill legalizing same-sex marriages in the state, putting it on the road to become the 12th state in the nation to do so. The vote came at about 3 p.m. Thursday, May 9, about three hours after the bill was introduced. This is about honoring difference," bill sponsor Karen Clark said. "I respect the other point of view. But there is something about being able to marry the love of your life." Clark, a Democrat from Minneapolis, recognized her partner of 26 years in the assembly's audience. The vote came nearly six months to the day after a 2012 vote on a Republican-sponsored amendment item defining marriage as a union between man and woman. That, of course, was …
Thursday, May 9, 2013
The bill passed the Minnesota House of Representatives with help from state Reps. Connie Bernardy of Fridley and Carolyn Laine of Columbia Heights.
Read tweets by and about Fridley-area state representatives Connie Bernardy and Carolyn Laine on the day of the historic vote to approve a same-sex marriage bill in the Minnesota House of Representatives. See the Storify in the window above or at Storify.com.
Dan Johnson
10:31 pm on Friday, May 17, 2013
No matter what you choose to call it, prejudice and discrimination cause needless suffering and death, here and around the world. Today's news: "Orthodox priests led a mob of anti-gay extremist in a violent confrontation with LGBT rights marchers in the Georgian capitol of Tbilisi in observance of the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. Georgian police, which had been charged … more ›