Both 'Marriage Amendment' AND 'Voter Photo ID Amendment' Rejected by Minnesota Voters

"Let the people vote," Archbishop Nienstedt was fond of saying throughout the Minnesota Catholic hierarchy's campaign to pass the 'marriage amendment.' Well, brother John, the people have voted and their voice on this issue made known.

A short time ago at 1:46 a.m., Minnesota Public Radio announced that "the proposal to amend Minnesota's constitution to define marriage as only between a man and a woman has been defeated."

Friends, this victory for gay rights means that Minnesota has made history, becoming the first state in the U.S. to defeat an anti-marriage equality amendment.

Earlier, both MPR and the Associated Press reported that the 'voter photo ID amendment' had been defeated.

All of this is unbelievably good news!

Following is the official statement from Catholics for Marriage Equality MN on the defeat of the 'marriage amendment':

Friends,

On behalf of the Catholics for Marriage Equality MN board of directors, I extend heartfelt thanks and gratitude to all who contributed to the defeat of the ‘marriage amendment.’

If passed, this amendment would have been a major obstacle to the movement toward marriage equality in our state. With its defeat, we can now continue in the work of (i) ensuring civil marriage rights for all, regardless of sexual orientation, and (ii) educating our fellow Catholics on how such work is supported by the very best elements of our faith tradition.

Let us celebrate this historic victory for justice, compassion and the common good. Let us also pray for those troubled and confused by the defeat of the amendment. May our continued conversations cultivate respect and understanding. Let us pray, too, for healing, as this issue has caused great hurt and divisiveness within families, parishes and communities.

Finally, let us pray for Archbishop Nienstedt and the bishops of Minnesota; that the rejection of the amendment they actively and controversially supported may give them pause to reassess their priorities and refocus their energies and our church’s financial resources on activities that reflect the core tenets of our faith as embodied by Jesus.

Peace,

Michael Bayly
Executive Coordinator, Catholics for Marriage Equality MN

Related Off-site Links:
Marriage Amendment Defeated – Madeleine Baran, Sasha Aslanian and Curtis Gilbert (Minnesota Public Radio, November 7, 2012).
Marriage Amendment Rejected by Minnesotans – Associated Press via KARE 11 News (November 7, 2012).
Minnesota Defeats Marriage Amendment – Pioneer Press (November 7, 2012).
Minnesota Catholic Bishops Lament Defeat of 'Marriage Amendment' – Rose French (Star Tribune, November 7, 2012).
Same-Sex Marriage Wins on the Ballot for the First Time in American History – Ashley Fetters (The Atlantic, November 7, 2012).
Marriage Equality Victories a Watershed Moment for LGBT Americans – People for the American Way via CommonDreams.org (November 7, 2012).


11/9/12 Updates:
Republican Leaders Miscalculated; Amendments Backfired – Pat Kessler (CBS Minnesota, November 8, 2012).
Same-Sex Marriage: 'Minnesota, in Particular . . . is Proof That Tide Has Turned' – Beth Hawkins (MinnPost, November 8, 2012).
Election 2012 Shows A Social Sea Change on Gay Marriage – Lauren Markoe (Religion News Service via HuffPost Gay Voices, November 8, 2012).
Minnesota Priest Calls for Archbishop Nienstedt’s Resignation – Terence Weldon (Queering the Church, November 8, 2012).
Ten Reasons Why Marriage Equality Won This Year – Chad Griffin (HuffPost Gay Voices, November 9, 2012).
Catholic Hierarchy Mourns Marriage Equality Victories – Zack Ford (ThinkProgress.org, November 9, 2012).
Eighteen Months to History: How the Minnesota Marriage Amendment was Defeated – Money, Passion, Allies – Eric Ringham and Sasha Aslanian (Minnesota Public Radio, November 9, 2012).


Image: The Minnesotans United for All Families' victory celebration in St. Paul, November 6-7, 2012. Photo by Javen Swanson.