On Monday, for the first time in Minnesota’s history, the House Civil Justice Committee will hear about three LGBT equality bills that would grant recognition to gay couples statewide. “The Marriage and Family Protection Act would make marriages in Minnesota gender neutral, a civil unions bill is also being proposed and another bill would recognize same-sex marriage performed in states where it is legal, such as neighboring Iowa.” Of course, some folks believe this is just a way for lawmakers to pretend they care about the issue: “But not everyone in in the LGBT community pleased about the hearing. Citizen activist Doug Benson who secured legislative support for the Marriage and Family Protection Act said called it a “show hearing” because there will be no vote taken on the bills so they won’t advance out of committee. ‘There won’t be a vote on our bill because one of the bill’s likely yes votes left the committee for reasons I am not aware of,’ he said. ‘It’s basically a show hearing to shut us up.'” [The Column]
Mike Janarch
I think it is highly unlikely that the Minnesota legislature (or the governor) is going to pass any pro-gay legislation this year. Besides having the large state deficit to contend with, a gay-rights bill would be a tremendous gift to the conservatives this election year. Gay rights legislation would hand them a sure-fire galvanizing issue to organize around. Minnesota isn’t as liberal as some people think. I’d say it is the buckle of the northern Bible Belt.
As far as gay strategy goes, fight for all the rights you can get all the time – but don’t expect an easy time of it. It might never be the ideal time to introduce a gay marriage bill, so forget about ideal times. We should do what we can when we can. If it works, great. If not, try again later.
Need a model? Just work as hard and persistently as the anti-abortion/pro-life people do.
Daniel
Well, if they want you to shut your mouth in Minnesota, then also shut your wallet. Money should only flow AFTER positive results.
Sam
I’d be shocked if Minnesota got same-sex marriage anytime soon. Arizona had a higher level of support for SSM in a recent poll, and it’s a red state.
Harvey
They are just setting the stage for next year, when we might finally have a governor who would sign any of these pro-glbt rights bills that cross his or her desk.
The trick is to get those folks running for election in November to make firm commitments to these specific issues and get them elected.
Mike in Asheville, nee "in Brooklyn"
Certainly better news than the news from states like Indiana where the legislatures are taking up constitutional amendments banning same-sex marriage.
Let us wish they well.