Day One of the Campaign to Defeat the Anti-Family Marriage Ban

Just over an hour ago, the Minnesota House of Representatives voted 70-62 in support of a proposed constitutional amendment to define marriage as the union of one man and one woman. Voters will now decide the question in November 2012.

The Minneapolis Star Tribune's coverage of the vote can be found here.

I'll share in a later post images and reflections on my experience at the Capitol in the hours leading up to the vote. For now, I want to spread the good and hope-filled news of the launching of a new coalition effort to defeat the amendment.

Following is the official media release of Minnesotans United for All Families.

St. Paul, MN – Minnesotans United for All Families, the campaign to defeat the anti-family marriage ban, launched today in St. Paul. The campaign is a broad coalition of Minnesota families, LGBT organizations, community and business leaders, people of faith, people of color, labor unions, elected officials, national LGBT organizations and many others.

“Minnesota voters are being asked to amend our constitution to ban same-sex marriage. In 2012, Minnesota will vote 'NO' on this anti-family ballot question. In Minnesota, we treat others like we want to be treated,” said campaign spokesperson Donald McFarland.

McFarland added, “Our campaign is hitting the ground running and we plan on using every resource available to defeat this anti-family constitutional amendment. I invite every Minnesotan to take the first step in defeating this measure by visiting www.MinnesotansUnitedForAllFamilies.com and signing up to volunteer. I invite every Minnesotan to join our campaign as we fight for Minnesota’s families.”

Follow us on facebook at Minnesotans United for All Families.

Follow us on Twitter at MN4allfamilies.

Recommended Off-site Links:
Rep. Keith Ellison Supports Minnesotans United for All Families
Voters to Determine the Future of Marriage – Rachel E. Stassen-Berger, Baird Helgeson and Eric Roper (Star Tribune, May 21, 2011).
Minnesota Voters Will Decide on Gay Marriage Ban – Associated Press via CBS Minnesota (May 21, 2011).
Poll Shows Majority of Minnesotans Oppose Amending Constitution to Ban Same-Sex Marriage – Rachel E. Stassen-Berger (Star Tribune, May 13, 2011).
Majority of Americans Support Gay Marriage – Reuters via YahooNews.com (May 20, 2011).
Minnesota Voters to Decide on Gay Marriage Ban – Patrick Condon (Associated Press via The Huffington Post, May 22, 2011).

See also the previous Wild Reed posts:
At MN Capitol, Protests Against Proposed Marriage Amendment Continue
An Eventful Day at the Capitol
What a Man! – John Kriesel
MN Marriage Amendment Headed for House Vote
At the Minnesota Capitol, Signs of the Times
David Booth on What It Might Mean to "Let the People Decide" on the Marriage Amendment
The Real Losers at the MN State Capitol Today
Opposition to the Marriage Amendment Grows
Tips on Speaking as a Catholic in Support of Marriage Equality
Winona Daily News Calls Proposed Marriage Amendment "Bigoted" and "Malicious"
Law Professor: Marriage Amendment is Divisive and Mean-Spirited