The Minnesota House of Representatives (around 10:00 PM last night, Saturday 5/21/11) just passed a motion to bring an amendment to define marriage as solely between a man and a woman to the people of Minnesota in November 2012. Having already passed the Senate, the amendment is now certain to be voted on.
The vote was 70-62. Two members did not vote. Likely no more than two Republicans voted against the amendment.
In a now-familiar pattern, those opposing marriage equality sat quietly for more than four hours while those in favor gave passionate speeches, all to no purpose. No one had any intention of changing their minds, or else minds would have been changed by some moving rhetoric, especially one representative with a disability who brought many listeners to tears.
These people don't have the courage to go in front of a camera and say why the will vote the way they will. They are cowards. Silent cowards. It's truly unfortunate that a just God does not exist so that they could be smited.
As far as I am concerned, war has been declared.
Update: Check this diary out: Minnesota: The Path I must take
Below is the liveblog as the (one-sided) debate happened.
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Live Streaming Here.
You can consider this a liveblog.
One member is now making a motion to refer the amendment back to committee.
Text of amendment:
Only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in Minnesota.
Note: A few recs will help keep this live.
Note: Minnesota House is 72 (R), 62 (D)
Passed 70-62.
Updated by jpmassar at Sat May 21, 2011 at 04:35 PM PDT
Rep. Karen Clark, a lesbian in a committed relationship, speaking.
Updated by jpmassar at Sat May 21, 2011 at 04:38 PM PDT
Clark speaking eloquently for the repeal of DOMA, but no so much for why this particular amendment should not be passed, since, as its sponsor said, passing the amendment will 'change nothing' in Minnesota.
Updated by jpmassar at Sat May 21, 2011 at 04:42 PM PDT
Rep. Hosch (D) up. Voted in 2005 for similar bill. Regretted it ever since.
Updated by jpmassar at Sat May 21, 2011 at 04:48 PM PDT
Motion to refer back to committee now being voted on
Updated by jpmassar at Sat May 21, 2011 at 04:51 PM PDT
Rep Tim Kelly (R) voted no, but opposes motion to refer back.
(They're waiting for the Sgt. At Arms to bring in the missing members)
Updated by jpmassar at Sat May 21, 2011 at 04:59 PM PDT
Kelly says he thinks the House will vote the amendment down. Suggests the motion to refer back be withdrawn. Hmmm....
Updated by jpmassar at Sat May 21, 2011 at 05:02 PM PDT
Sponsor of the motion to refer back seems really undecided on whether to accept the offer.
Updated by jpmassar at Sat May 21, 2011 at 05:03 PM PDT
Nope. She rejects offer.
Updated by jpmassar at Sat May 21, 2011 at 05:03 PM PDT
And here it comes.
Updated by jpmassar at Sat May 21, 2011 at 05:05 PM PDT
61-71 motion to refer back fails. Well, that would seem to sink any chance of defeating the amendment itself, but who knows?
Updated by jpmassar at Sat May 21, 2011 at 05:08 PM PDT
I like how they can ask questions of each other. That doesn't seem to happen in the US Congress.
Updated by jpmassar at Sat May 21, 2011 at 05:10 PM PDT
"What is the criteria for putting an amendment on the ballot?"
Addressed to bill sponsor.
Updated by jpmassar at Sat May 21, 2011 at 05:15 PM PDT
"Let the people decide."
I think the bigots are going to be sorely disappointed.
Updated by jpmassar at Sat May 21, 2011 at 05:16 PM PDT
Ha. The bill's sponsor ducks and weaves. Won't say whether he would vote to put a marriage equality amendment on the ballot.
Updated by jpmassar at Sat May 21, 2011 at 05:17 PM PDT
Fuck them. Let Minnesota vote. http://www.dailykos.com/...
Updated by jpmassar at Sat May 21, 2011 at 05:20 PM PDT
This is kinda fun. They're really going at each other. Politely, of course. But really nasty.
Updated by jpmassar at Sat May 21, 2011 at 05:24 PM PDT
Oooh, Oooh. Food fight!
Updated by jpmassar at Sat May 21, 2011 at 05:35 PM PDT
"The easy thing is to believe you are just 'letting the people vote'."
Updated by jpmassar at Sat May 21, 2011 at 05:40 PM PDT
Rep Terry Morrow (D) now up. Great-grandfather was a slave. Grandparents had interracial marriage -- never traveled to NC because of interracial marriage forbidding law.
Updated by jpmassar at Sat May 21, 2011 at 05:42 PM PDT
Need five R votes against. AIUI, there are two who will vote against.
Updated by jpmassar at Sat May 21, 2011 at 05:48 PM PDT
Rep with crippled hand speaking. Wants to share story.
"For me it's about discrimination." "If you look different, you get treated different. You get discriminated against. I've been there."
Updated by jpmassar at Sat May 21, 2011 at 05:51 PM PDT
Sharing stories of discrimination. "Hated recess, scared of being bullied and discriminated against. Another kid stopped the bullying. Discriminatory actions have no place in society."
Updated by jpmassar at Sat May 21, 2011 at 05:56 PM PDT
Making the civil vs. religious argument. Undoubtedly will fail on deaf ears. "Does not want to allow discrimination into the constitution."
Updated by jpmassar at Sat May 21, 2011 at 05:58 PM PDT
"Think with your hearts, and with your consciences, and vote no."
Updated by jpmassar at Sat May 21, 2011 at 05:59 PM PDT
Rep Horstein (D).
Same pattern as most other of these debates. Those against marriage equality just sit back and don't say anything, seemingly embarassed. But then they go and vote to discriminate, and win.
Updated by jpmassar at Sat May 21, 2011 at 06:00 PM PDT
Clarification: Horstein didn't say that. That's just my observation. Only D's have spoken so far.
Updated by jpmassar at Sat May 21, 2011 at 06:10 PM PDT
Off to dinner. I've invited some others to continue the live blog. Don't know if that will work but it should.
Updated by jpmassar at Sat May 21, 2011 at 07:30 PM PDT
I'm back.
Updated by jpmassar at Sat May 21, 2011 at 07:31 PM PDT
Rep Green (D).
Has any proponent spoken?
Updated by jpmassar at Sat May 21, 2011 at 07:34 PM PDT
Rep Gauthier (D)
"The pain and the agony I have witnessed in this chamber will be all over Minnesota. It does nothing for our state."
Updated by jpmassar at Sat May 21, 2011 at 07:39 PM PDT
Rep Hortman (D).
Reasons to vote no: Our Creator has made us all equal.
-- Civil institution of marriage. We are not a church.
Updated by jpmassar at Sat May 21, 2011 at 07:43 PM PDT
3rd reason: Love. We all move this state. Not good for state. It will divide us. Let us not divide this state that we all love so much. Love for the kids. Campaign says to kids -- there's us, and there's them.
Updated by jpmassar at Sat May 21, 2011 at 07:44 PM PDT
Rep. Liebling (D)
"Not going to repeat..." Yeah!
Updated by jpmassar at Sat May 21, 2011 at 07:45 PM PDT
This is going to go down just like the NY State Senate debate in '09. Not a single voice except for crazy Diaz raised in opposition to marriage equality, and yet it will silently be passed.
Updated by jpmassar at Sat May 21, 2011 at 07:48 PM PDT
"I believe that this will not pass... but the harm will already be done."
Updated by jpmassar at Sat May 21, 2011 at 07:55 PM PDT
Rep Lesch (D)
Gladiator?
Updated by jpmassar at Sat May 21, 2011 at 07:56 PM PDT
Heh. From a Pioneer Press article:
"Lawmakers on both sides have repeatedly stated that passing a balanced state budget before Monday's deadline is their most important issue"
Updated by jpmassar at Sat May 21, 2011 at 08:01 PM PDT
WTF is this guy talking about.
Updated by jpmassar at Sat May 21, 2011 at 08:07 PM PDT
Rep Melin (D)
"I've never been discriminated against." As a woman? That's impressive.
Updated by jpmassar at Sat May 21, 2011 at 08:11 PM PDT
Rep Davnie (D)
"The center of my life is my family."
Updated by jpmassar at Sat May 21, 2011 at 08:21 PM PDT
"Denies this body the right to have this debate in the future."
That's a bogus argument. Obviously, the MN legislature can have the debate to repeal the amendment in the future.
Updated by jpmassar at Sat May 21, 2011 at 08:22 PM PDT
Rep. Loeffler (D)
Updated by jpmassar at Sat May 21, 2011 at 08:23 PM PDT
Unless and until some other Republican besides the two known to be opposed speaks out in opposition this is all just theatre.
Updated by jpmassar at Sat May 21, 2011 at 08:28 PM PDT
"Most importantly, I am human... This proposed amendment makes me feel less than human." -- letter from constituent
Updated by jpmassar at Sat May 21, 2011 at 08:32 PM PDT
Rep Laine (D)
Updated by jpmassar at Sat May 21, 2011 at 08:33 PM PDT
Rep Mullery (D)
"Doesn't fit in with any theory of constitutions I've ever seen,"
"MN Constitution established to secure our liberties for posterity. How does this fit with the purpose of our constitution?"
Updated by jpmassar at Sat May 21, 2011 at 08:35 PM PDT
"Enormous psychological affect on the kids of Minnesota."
Updated by jpmassar at Sat May 21, 2011 at 08:36 PM PDT
Reference to pastor Dean. "We know he'll keep saying these divisive things."
Updated by jpmassar at Sat May 21, 2011 at 08:42 PM PDT
I imagine most of the R's would still be happy to vote against allowing gay dances.
Updated by jpmassar at Sat May 21, 2011 at 08:43 PM PDT
"They actually listened to the debate... They decided they couldn't vote for discrimination."
Updated by jpmassar at Sat May 21, 2011 at 08:44 PM PDT
Rep Knuth (D)
Updated by jpmassar at Sat May 21, 2011 at 08:47 PM PDT
"Imagine this tension, fueled by millions of dollars, spread to every corner of Minnesota, for 18 months."
Updated by jpmassar at Sat May 21, 2011 at 08:50 PM PDT
Rep Lillie (D)
Updated by jpmassar at Sat May 21, 2011 at 08:51 PM PDT
"It doesn't feel Minnesotan to me"
Updated by jpmassar at Sat May 21, 2011 at 08:58 PM PDT
Rep Hamilton (R)
Will we hear another R in opposition?
Updated by jpmassar at Sat May 21, 2011 at 08:59 PM PDT
It sure sounds like there's a possibility here.
Updated by jpmassar at Sat May 21, 2011 at 09:03 PM PDT
Oops. No. He wants it to come to a vote. Sigh.
Updated by jpmassar at Sat May 21, 2011 at 09:04 PM PDT
Well, bring it on. November, 2012 is going to be a defining moment.
Updated by jpmassar at Sat May 21, 2011 at 09:05 PM PDT
"I still struggle." Hmmm. Is he not going to commit after this long speech?
Updated by jpmassar at Sat May 21, 2011 at 09:06 PM PDT
Yup. Nothing one way or another. Strange.
Updated by jpmassar at Sat May 21, 2011 at 09:06 PM PDT
Rep Kahn (D)
Updated by jpmassar at Sat May 21, 2011 at 09:08 PM PDT
"In Canada. Everyone has health insurance." What a concept!
Updated by jpmassar at Sat May 21, 2011 at 09:11 PM PDT
Rep Moran (D)
"It weighs heavy." "Its about the policies we create that oppress and suppress others."
Updated by jpmassar at Sat May 21, 2011 at 09:14 PM PDT
Off the rec list before the vote. Oh well
Updated by jpmassar at Sat May 21, 2011 at 09:17 PM PDT
Motion to keep going past midnight! Did it succeed or fail? I think it succeeded...
Updated by jpmassar at Sat May 21, 2011 at 09:17 PM PDT
Rep Kriesel (R)
I think this is one of the R no votes. If not, it's another no vote.
Updated by jpmassar at Sat May 21, 2011 at 09:20 PM PDT
"This amendment doesn't represent what I went to fight for."
Updated by jpmassar at Sat May 21, 2011 at 09:21 PM PDT
"You were good enough to give your life for this country, but you were not good enough to marry the one you love. I cannot do that."
Updated by jpmassar at Sat May 21, 2011 at 09:23 PM PDT
Rep Gottwait (R-asshole) sponsor of the bill.
Updated by jpmassar at Sat May 21, 2011 at 09:24 PM PDT
I assume the vote is imminent.
Updated by jpmassar at Sat May 21, 2011 at 09:25 PM PDT
Liar. "Same number of people on both sides of this issue." Not according to the polling.
Updated by jpmassar at Sat May 21, 2011 at 09:26 PM PDT
This guy is truly a slimeball.
Updated by jpmassar at Sat May 21, 2011 at 09:26 PM PDT
Here we go.
Updated by jpmassar at Sat May 21, 2011 at 09:27 PM PDT
Looks like it will fail to me from the lights, but who knows?
Updated by jpmassar at Sat May 21, 2011 at 09:29 PM PDT
And it's over: Yes: 70 No: 62
GAME ON
Updated by jpmassar at Sat May 21, 2011 at 09:30 PM PDT
Unbelievable. It wasn't even close. Likely not a single R besides the two voted against.