In 2010, after decades, the Minnesota GOP took control of both houses off the Legislature. Fortunately, we also elected a Democratic (DFL) Governor Mark Dayton or we would be in tandem with Wisconsin. One thing the Governor can't do, however, is block constitutional amendments, although he did issue a symbolic veto. So, in their free time after trying to block people from voting and protecting the rich, the GOP sent a constitutional amendment to the voters of Minnesota to define marriage as the union of one man and one woman. The amendment will come up in November of 2012.
We are hoping that the demographic and polling shifts we have been seeing will allow Minnesota to defeat this amendment where so many other states have failed. There is a coordinated campaign linking existing GLBT rights groups with friendly churches, labor unions, businesses and non-profits to oppose the amendment.
Minnesotans United for All Families has collected stories of those opposed to the amendment, has hosted events (holiday house parties!) and fundraisers (The Big Gay Race!) and lined up support from the Democratic-Farmer-Labor party, the Independence Party, the Green Party and the Libertarian Party. The have even found some supporters within Republican ranks.
Here is where we can help. These campaigns cost money and we know the other side will be well supported by right-wingers of all stripes as well as the Catholic Church and Mormon Church. Please contribute what you can at the MN United for All Families donation page. With your help, we can defeat one of these horrid amendments and start establishing a string of successes.
Thanks!