Progress is not always easy and this election has handed us our biggest challenge yet, but we’re not giving up. Although the governor’s race is unresolved, we do know that this election marked the first time in history when 56% of Minnesotans voted for candidates who support equality for GLBT Minnesotans: Mark Dayton and Tom Horner.
Unfortunately, the pro-equality majorities in the Minnesota Senate and House of Representatives — which have repeatedly protected the civil rights of GLBT Minnesotans from vicious assault — are no more. This was a defeat no one expected. Although opponents of equality have carried this election, they are on the wrong side of history and every day there are fewer Minnesotans who oppose equality and more Minnesotans who support it.
It is our hope that the new Republican leadership takes a fresh look at the political climate and decides to be true leaders who will not tarnish themselves with divisive, discriminatory legislation as previous Republicans have. This may be difficult because newly emboldened opponents of GLBT equality are sure to resurrect their attempts to write discrimination into our constitution: the National Organization for Marriage (NOM) and the Catholic hierarchy have made it clear they will stop at nothing until GLBT Minnesotans are made permanent second-class citizens.
We are in this together. Thousands of Minnesotans across the state are connected and involved in OutFront. We began our work in 1987 and we will never stop until GLBT Minnesotans have equality under the law.
To contribute financially to the important work of OutFront Minnesota, click here.
Recommended Off-site Links:
Gay Marriage Foes Boosted by Minnesota GOP Takeover – Patrick Condon (Star Tribune, November 4, 2010).
In MN, Constitutional Ban on Gay Marriage Hits Fast Track – Hart Van Denburg (City Pages, November 5, 2010).
See also the previous Wild Reed posts:
Some Progressive Thoughts for the Day After
Steve Chapman: “Time Is On the Side of Gay Marriage”
A Christian Case for Same-Sex Marriage
At UST, a Rousing and Very Catholic Show of Support for Marriage Equality
A Catholic Voice for Marriage Equality at the State Capitol
A Message for NOM (and the Catholic Hierarchy)
Dale Carpenter on the “Win-Win” Reality of Gay Marriage
Minnesotans Rally for Equality and Love at the State Capitol
Two Attorneys Discuss Same-Sex Marriage
The Facts
1 comment:
"The Catholic hierarchy have made it clear that they will stop at nothing until GLBT Minnesotans are made permanent second class citizens." This is quite a chilling statement. I think it is better for Catholics in other dioceses but unfortunately your Archbishop has a strong dislike for gay people and I doubt that this will change.
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