Marriage Equality Supporters Hail Historic Hearing

February 22, 2010


MARRIAGE EQUALITY SUPPORTERS HAIL HISTORIC HEARING ON MARRIAGE-RELATED BILLS IN MINNESOTA HOUSE

(St. Paul) - For the first time since considering a divisive proposed constitutional amendment to prohibit legal recognition for same-sex couples, a state legislative committee will hold a hearing on bills that would extend such recognition, announced Amy Johnson, Executive Director of OutFront Minnesota, the state's leading advocacy organization working for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) equality.

"Legislators have seen that there is strong support for extending legal recognition to same-sex couples and their families by ending discrimination in marriage," says Johnson. "Minnesotans know that marriage equality next door in Canada and now Iowa is not a threat to them or their families. In fact, polls show that the majority of Americans support creation of the sorts of legal frameworks and protections for same-sex couples. Today's informational hearing is a significant step toward ending this form of discrimination."

OutFront Minnesota supports two bills that will be discussed at the hearing on Monday, February 22, 2010, in Room 10 of the State Office Building in St. Paul. The first would grant same-sex couples full access to legal marriage in Minnesota, while the second is more narrowly-focused on extending legal recognition to valid marriages same-sex couples enter into elsewhere. OutFront Minnesota respectfully opposes a third bill, which would replace marriages with civil unions for all couples.

The debate on whether to permit same-sex couples access to civil marriage on the same terms as different-sex couples has drawn attention to the inequities same-sex couples and their families face in the absence of legal recognition, says OutFront Minnesota Public Policy Director Monica Meyer. "As a result of dramatic developments elsewhere, including Vermont, Iowa, New Hampshire, and Washington DC, the discussion has shifted quickly from whether to recognize same-sex couples legally to how to do so," says Meyer.

For Chris and Ryan Dolan, a married couple living in St. Paul, the topic hits close to home. "Being able to marry has meant a great deal to us and to our extended family," says Chris. "Beyond that, recognizing the legal validity of Ryan's and my marriage will help us provide for our daughter, Olivia.'

"Our son has served as the best man in his sibling's weddings," says Randi Reitan, an outspoken supporter of marriage equality. "But under the law as it stands today, Jake himself will never be able to marry in Minnesota. As a parent, it breaks my heart to see one of my children singled out for second-class treatment like this. I want each and every one of my kids to be able one day to marry the person they love and want to spend their lives with. It's that simple."

Dale Carpenter, a professor of constitutional law at the University of Minnesota Law School and conservative commentator, asserts that establishing marriage equality is consistent with both constitutional and conservative principles. "As more and more people like former Solicitor General Ted Olsen have come to realize, same-sex marriage is a conservative idea and is consistent with our constitutional tradition. It protects families raising children, promotes long-term and stable relationships, and reaffirms the importance of marriage in our culture."

While the February 22 hearing is for informational purposes only and no votes are expected, Meyer praises the legislature for examining the topic and beginning the long process of leading Minnesota toward marriage equality. "This problem won't be solved this year, unfortunately," says Meyer, "but we are optimistic that this hearing is the first step toward achieving that solution in the near future."


For further information, contact:
Amy Johnson, (612) 767-7660
Monica Meyer, (612) 817-3480