Marriage Equality Comes to Minnesota

Write Patrick Condon and Brian Bakst of the Associated Press:

Minnesota is set to become the 12th U.S. state where gay couples can get married after a final legislative vote Monday that will let the weddings start on August 1.

Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton has pledged to sign the bill, and scheduled a ceremony at 5 p.m. Tuesday on the front steps of the Capitol in St. Paul to do so.

Minnesota is now the first state in the Midwest to legalize gay marriage by legislative vote, and the third nationwide in just 10 days, joining Rhode Island and Delaware. Thousands of gay marriage supporters thronging the Capitol erupted into deafening cheers after the Senate's 37-30 vote; the House passed it last week on a 75-59 vote.

"Members, God made gays," Sen. Ron Latz, a Democrat from a suburb of Minneapolis, said during the Senate's emotional four-hour debate. "And God made gays capable of loving other people. So who are we to quarrel with God's intentions?"

Following are my photos, recollections and reflections on the historic day that marriage equality came to Minnesota!

Most of the photos I share in this post are mine. Of those that aren't, I provide credit to whomever did take them. Enjoy!

I spent much of Monday, May 13, 2013 at the Minnesota State Capitol, joining with others in showing support for the marriage equality legislation being debated and voted on by the Minnesota Senate. The House version of the bill was approved last Thursday, May 9. Its chief sponsor was Rep. Karen Clark. I wasn't present at the Capitol last Thursday for the historic House vote, but I was determined not to miss today's equally important Senate vote.

I arranged to take the day off from my part-job with Meals-on-Wheels and arrived at the Capitol steps at around 9:00 a.m. Minnesotans United for All Families had put the call out for supporters to be present at this time so as to greet legislators as they arrived. A pathway up the steps was formed, dotted with heart-shaped cut-outs in the orange and blue colors of the official marriage equality campaign.

My friends Jim Smith and Rose McMurray (above right), along with obliging folks in the crowd, helped me hold a banner that morning that read: "Catholics for LGBT Equality." The photo below of me holding the banner was snapped by Rose.

Above: Lots of young people were in attendance, full of energy and optimism! I always find this heartening! (Photo: Tony Nelson/City Pages)

Above: A great photo of my friend Paula Ruddy (right) sitting on the Capitol steps with Sabrina Brys Mauritz, Faith Organizer with Minnesotans United for All Families. (Photo: Bridget Bennett/Minnesota Daily)

Above: Minnesotans United volunteers distributing a placard upon which folks could complete the sentence:

I'm _____________ and I support the freedom to marry.

I saw all sorts of things written on these signs: "I'm a teacher . . .", "I'm the father of a gay son . . .", "I'm the daughter of two moms . . .", "I'm a Catholic . . .". The list goes on.

Above and below: Sen. Scott Dibble (right) and his husband Richard Leyva arrive at the Minnesota State Capitol for the Senate debate and vote on marriage equality legislation – May 13, 2013. Scott is the principal author and sponsor of the legislation, upon which the Senate was scheduled to commence debate at noon.

With time on our hands before the debate commenced, my friend Jim and I decided to get some breakfast at nearby Nina's Coffee Café. I then went home and uploaded the above image as The Wild Reed's "Photo of the Day."

Above: I returned to the Capitol at around 1:00 p.m. By now thousands had gathered in the rotunda and the balconies and hallways around it. I went up to the second floor and looked down at the singing, chanting and dancing crowd below me. The energy was amazing! There was so much hope and excitement in the air. A few anti-marriage equality folks were present but the overwhelming number of those who had gathered were joy-filled supporters of fairness, equality, and love for all.

Above right: Standing with my friend Lisa and another local Catholic woman supportive of marriage equality. You may recall that Lisa and her husband Brent feature in C4ME-MN's video series Catholics for Marriage Equality.

Above: As on a previous occasion, the unfurling of our Catholic banner at the Capitol on May 13 elicited a tremendous roar of approval from the assembled throng!

 

Above: My friend Amy Gabriel took this photo of me holding the 'Catholics for LGBT Equality' banner on the second floor balcony of the Capitol rotunda. It must have been soon after I arrived at around 1:00 p.m. as I'm still wearing what I call "my Brokeback Mountain jacket"!

I've been told that I was a regular feature on numerous media outlets' live steaming of the day's events – including those of the Star Tribune, KARE 11 News and Fox News. I'm sure that this was due to the fact that, quite by chance, I had placed our banner between a rainbow flag and an HRC equality flag. This combination of symbols and colors no doubt made for a good visual! Mind you, if I'd known I'd be featured so prominently I would have dressed up a bit more!

Above: Esera Tuaolo (center) was one of a number of people who led the singing in the Capitol Rotunda.

Above: A gay male couple with their self-amended t-shirts! These shirts originally contained a 'Vote No' message in relation to last year's anti-marriage equality 'marriage amendment.' Now, however, we were urging lawmakers to 'Vote Yes' on marriage equality legislation. Our opponents, who last year were advocating a 'Vote Yes' message' on the amendment, were now all about voting 'no' on marriage equality. It could get quite confusing at times!

Above: Watching the Senate debate on monitors set up in the Capitol hallways. (Photo: Tony Nelson/City Pages)

Above: Responding to the news that the Senate had just voted 37-30 in favor of marriage equality legislation. That's me in the green and white plaid shirt, happily caught up in the moment! The young gay male couple featured in a previous photo can be seen hugging each other in the foreground at left. (Photo: Molly Bloom/Minnesota Public Radio)

Above and below: Celebrating the good news of marriage equality in Minnesota! (Photos: Tony Nelson/City Pages)

Above: Sen. Scott Dibble, chief sponsor of Minnesota's marriage equality legislation in the Senate, addresses the crowd gathered in the Capitol rotunda. On his right is Rep. Karen Clark, chief sponsor of the House version of the marriage equality legislation. It was passed last Thursday, on a 75-59 vote.

Above: Carol Curoe (left) and her partner of 25 years, Susan, on the steps of the Minnesota State Capitol – Monday, May 13, 2013.

Back in 2007 Carol co-authored Are There Closets in Heaven? A Catholic Father and Lesbian Daughter Share Their Story. In October of that year Carol and her dad, Robert, were scheduled to speak at a CPCSM event that I organized at St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church in Minneapolis. The Archdiocese of St. Paul/Minneapolis intervened, however, and banned the event from taking place on church property – a move that made national news. CPCSM's event featuring Carol and Robert went ahead on October 22, 2007, but at a new location – The House of the Beloved Disciple, a CPCSM-established center for progressive Catholics “dedicated to preserving Catholicism in the Spirit of Jesus.”

Robert died in 2011 at the age of 85. Like so many who worked tireless for the rights, dignity and acceptance of LGBT individuals, couples and families, he didn't live to witness the recent advances, such as the defeat of the 'marriage amendment' and the coming of marriage equality to Minnesota. Yet somehow I know that Robert and others, including the late MN state legislator Allan Spear and CPCSM co-founders Bill Kummer and David McCaffrey, are rejoicing with us today.



Related Off-site Links:
Minnesota Becomes 12th State to Legalize Gay Marriage – Baird Helgeson and Jim Ragsdale (Star Tribune, May 13, 2013).
In Historic Vote, Minnesota Senate Approves Same-Sex Marriage Bill – Rachel E. Stassen-Berger (Star Tribune, May 13, 2013).
Minnesota Senate Passes Gay Marriage, Governor to Sign – Patrick Condon and Brian Bakst (Associated Press via Yahoo! News, May 13, 2013).
Minnesota Senate Approves Same-Sex Marriage; Sends to Dayton – Paul Tosto (Minnesota Public Radio, May 13, 2013).
Supporters, Opponents React to Gay Marriage Bill Vote – KARE 11 News (May 13, 2013).
Same-Sex Marriage: Lobbying, Polling, Timing, Key Lawmakers Led to Victory – Catharine Richert (Minnesota Public Radio, May 14, 2013).
Gay Marriage in Minnesota: Another Milestone is Reached – Michelangelo Signorile (The Huffington Post, May 14, 2013).
Powerful Images from Minnesota the Day Same-Sex Marriage Was Legalized – Sarah Karlan (BuzzFeed, May 14, 2013).

See also the previous Wild Reed posts:
Photo of the Day – May 13, 2013
Karen Clark's Revolutionary Act: "Daring to Believe That People Can Change Their Hearts and Minds"
Two of the Most Inspiring Speeches of the Historic Minnesota House Hearing and Vote on Marriage Equality
Drawing the Circle Wide
At the Minnesota State Capitol, Two Big Steps Forward for Marriage Equality
"It'll Be Legal August 1st"
Both 'Marriage Amendment' AND 'Voter Photo ID Amendment' Rejected by Minnesota Voters
In the Struggle for Marriage Equality, MN Catholics are Making a Difference by Changing Hearts and Minds
The Minneapolis (and Online) Premiere of Catholics for Marriage Equality
Marriage: "Part of What is Best in Human Nature"

Images: Michael J. Bayly (unless where otherwise noted).

Photo of the Day

Above: Sen. Scott Dibble (right) and his husband Richard Leyva arrive at the Minnesota State Capitol for the Senate debate and vote on marriage equality legislation – May 13, 2013.

Scott is the principal author of the legislation and debate on it will begin at noon. Democratic Senate leaders have said they have the votes to pass the bill, and Governor Mark Dayton is expected to sign it as soon as tomorrow. If approved, Minnesota will become the 12th state to legalize same-sex marriage, and such marriages could begin August 1st.

The imposing building pictured behind Scott and Richard is the Roman Catholic Cathedral of St. Paul – seat of the anti-marriage equality Archbishop John Nienstedt. It's presence is appropriate as both Scott and Richard are of Catholic background and, in the view of many, embody the best of what it means to be Catholic – regardless of what the Catholic hierarchy may think or say.

In 2011 Catholics for Marriage Equality MN, an initiative of the Catholic Pastoral Committee on Sexual Minorities (CPCSM), created a series of five video vignettes of faith, marriage and family from the perspective of LGBT Catholics and supportive family members. Scott and Richard feature in this series. To view their vignette, click here.


Recommended Off-site Links:
Minnesota Gay Marriage Debate in Senate to Begin at Noon – Megan Bodt (Pioneer Press, May 13, 2013).
Minnesota Lawmakers Prepare Final Vote on Gay Marriage – Patrick Condon and Brian Bakst (Associated Press via Yahoo! News, May 13, 2013).
In Just Two Years, Gay Marriage Makes Dramatic Turn in Minnesota – Doug Belden and Megan Boldt (Pioneer Press, May 12, 2013).
Marriage: How Minnesota Got From There to Here – Lori Sturdevant (Star Tribune, May 12, 2013).
An All-Out Push Set Up Shift on Gay Marriage – Baird Helgeson (Star Tribune, May 12, 2013).
Minnesota House Passes Same-Sex Marriage Bill – Paul Tosto (Minnesota Public Radio, May 9, 2013).
Marriage Equality Victories Show How Change Happens, One Step At a Time – Gar Alperovitz (Yes!, May 9, 2013).

See also the previous Wild Reed posts:
Karen Clark's Revolutionary Act: "Daring to Believe That People Can Change Their Hearts and Minds"
Two of the Most Inspiring Speeches of the Historic Minnesota House Hearing and Vote on Marriage Equality
Drawing the Circle Wide
At the Minnesota State Capitol, Two Big Steps Forward for Marriage Equality
"It'll Be Legal August 1st"
Both 'Marriage Amendment' AND 'Voter Photo ID Amendment' Rejected by Minnesota Voters
In the Struggle for Marriage Equality, MN Catholics are Making a Difference by Changing Hearts and Minds
The Minneapolis (and Online) Premiere of Catholics for Marriage Equality
Marriage: "Part of What is Best in Human Nature"
A Head and Heart Response to the Catholic Hierarchy's Opposition to Marriage Equality
In Minnesota, Catholics Sing Their Support for Marriage Equality
"A Thoughtful, Entertaining, and Inspiring Event"
Lisa Cressman's Concise, Reasonable Answers to Marriage Equality Questions

Image: Michael J. Bayly.

Karen Clark's Revolutionary Act: "Daring to Believe That People Can Change Their Hearts and Minds"

Last Thursday saw the historic passage of marriage equality legislation in the Minnesota House of Representatives. The chief author of this legislation (HF 1054) is State Representative Karen Clark (DFL, District 62A).

Karen is a longtime political advocate for a range of social justice issues. She's also the longest serving openly lesbian member to serve in a state legislature in the United States.

Nine years ago Karen was the keynote speaker at the 2004 Annual Community Meeting of the Catholic Pastoral Committee on Sexual Minorities (CPCSM), the organization to which I've served as executive coordinator since 2003. Karen was also a recipient that evening of CPCSM's 2004 Bishop Gumbleton Peace and Justice Award.

CPCSM co-founder David McCaffrey wrote the following about Karen and her keynote address for CPCSM's Fall 2004 Rainbow Spirit journal. As you'll see, along with providing a picture of how Karen's Catholic background has shaped her life and her political reputation for working tirelessly on behalf of the disenfranchised, David's article also provides an insightful snapshot into the state of LGBT rights and activism in Minnesota a decade ago. And with marriage equality legislation set to become a reality this week, thanks in large measure to Karen Clark, it's quite astounding to think of the advances that have been made in the past ten years.

______________________

Karen Clark and CPCSM's
Annual Community Meeting

By David McCaffrey

Rainbow Spirit

Volume 6, Issue 2 – Fall 2004

"That's the really revolutionary act – to dare to believe that people can change their hearts and minds."

With these powerful words of inspiration, Karen Clark summed up the theme of her keynote presentation, entitled "Full Inclusion and Equality for All LGBT Families: The Struggles That Lie Ahead," at CPCSM's 24th Annual Community Meeting.

Karen prefaced her talk by sharing how much she was struck by the depth of CPCSM's current projects.

"Listening to the summary shows me that you are a vital organization, and you give me courage and nourishment to keep going," she told the audience.

She then began her keynote address by pointing out how her own entrance into political life in 1980 – as an openly lesbian state legislator – coincided with the founding of CPCSM. She highlighted other ways in which she felt connected to CPCSM and the wider Catholic community.

Karen spoke, for instance, of her Catholic background and the positive effect its social justice teachings have had on her life. She also noted how her experience at the all women's College of St. Teresa in Winona helped her become a strong and independent woman.

Karen's Catholic background, however, also resulted in her first experience of discrimination. While growing up on her family's sharecropper farm near the southwestern Minnesota town of Edgerton, she and her brothers were from the only Catholic family in the local public school dominated by students from anti-Catholic Dutch Reform backgrounds. As a result, she and her siblings endured much harassment from their classmates because of their Catholic identity.

When she sought advice from her parents about the harassment, they urged her to take a peaceful, nonviolent approach.

"Feel sorry for those kids because they don't know any better," they told her. "Their parents have been giving them bad information, so it's not their fault. Be nice to them and eventually they may come around."

From that first experience of discrimination Karen learned a lot about being a member of a minority group and a lot about how to peacefully deal with injustice – lessons that would serve her well in her later career as a champion of the rights of the marginalized and the voiceless.

During her keynote address, Karen summarized high points in the 20-year history of LGBT human rights legislation in Minnesota. As the only 'out' lesbian in the Minnesota legislature, she has played a major role in this history.

Karen emphasized the extensive and diverse organizing necessary during those years to arrive at the great success of 1993 when LGBT persons became a protected group under the state's human rights laws.

The movement's early organizers began by first focusing on the hate crimes that LGBT persons were suffering and by encouraging Governor Perpich to form a commission in 1987 whereby such crimes could be documented throughout the state during public listening sessions. Karen also spoke about how she would often listen into the private sessions that followed the public hearings. It was in these private sessions that most of the testimony took place. She recalled the painful stories of numerous LGBT persons and their family members as they described the grief they endured while either suffering discrimination or harassment themselves, or in watching their loved ones suffer such injustices. The findings of the Pepich task force eventually led to the passage in 1988 of a hate crimes bill that would protect LGBT persons and increase penalties for such crimes.

In 1992 Karen and her colleagues prevailed upon Governor Carlson to create another task force to study the discrimination that LGBT persons were experiencing in jobs, housing, and public accommodations. The findings from this task force became a springboard for the lobbying efforts that occurred in 1992 and 1993. These efforts culminated in the 1993 Human Rights Amendment that added LGBT persons to the list of groups protected by the Minnesota human rights laws.

In acknowledging COCSM's important lobbying efforts and the support for the legislation from the Minnesota Catholic Conference, Karen emphasized the coalition-building that played an essential role in getting the 1993 legislation passed. She also noted that the greatest influence came from local religious, labor union, and racial minority leaders and organizations.

Another significant element of the Minnesota LGBT movement's early success was the personal relationships that Karen formed with other legislators – especially those who were personally affected either by hateful and bigoted comments from constituents when they showed support for pro-LGBT legislation or by the sufferings of these legislators' own LGBT relatives and friends.

Karen's working relationships, however, have also involved tragic stories. She recalled, for instance, working with colleagues who were themselves parents of LGBT children. Yet either because they were too fearful or too hardened in their beliefs, these legislators were unable or unwilling to support or even acknowledge their children by casting a positive vote on crucial LGBT human rights issues.

Karen's message about what is needed to continue the human rights movement as marriage and family issues emerge for legislative consideration is to keep on with what has worked in the past – deep and broad-based organizing and the building of coalitions and personal relationships.

However, she warned that even harder work will be needed in the coming months. The recent attempt in the Minnesota Senate (following an overwhelming passage in the House) to place on the ballot in the fall elections an anti-LGBT referendum that could amend the state constitution, was prevented by "the smallest thread." The wording of this recent bill aimed to outlaw not only LGBT marriage but also and "legal equivalent of marriage," such as civil unions.

"It's very clear that Governor Pawlenty's agenda of the extreme right-wing is to get their so-called 'Anti-Gay Marriage Amendment' passed," said Karen. She also pointed out that the danger of passage is not yet over for this year, given the possibility of a special legislative session. "I really urge you to contact your own legislators, especially your senators, and urge them to hold strong on their current position of not allowing the vote to be brought to the full Senate," she said. [To read of what became of this first attempt to place an anti-gay "marriage amendment" on the ballot in Minnesota, click here. For information and links relating to the defeat of a similar amendment that was placed on the ballot in 2012, click here.]

On a more hopeful note, Karen pointed out that some of the recently elected right-wing Republican legislators whose numbers have resulted in a "super majority" in the House had won their elections by margins of only a few hundred votes. It would not take that much effort, she reassured the audience, to win back those seats. If LGBT rights supporters would ask their friends and families living in these districts to share their own stories or the stories of LGBT persons they care about, they could begin to turn the votes, one at a time.

By the end of her keynote address it had become clear that Karen's whole political life – one imbued with hope and passion, especially for those living in her impoverished south Minneapolis district and for the LGBT citizens of Minnesota – has been an embodiment of her inspiring words: "Dare to believe that people can change their hearts and their minds."

In light of this it was a fitting conclusion to Karen's appearance at CPCSM's Annual Meeting that she – along with Kathy Itzin and Catholic Rainbow Parents co-founder Mary Lynn Murphy – was awarded CPCSM's 2004 Bishop Gumbleton Peace and Justice Award.

The inscription on Karen's award reads as follows: In recognition of your selfless, untiring, steadfast, and loving service in working for the full and equal participation in society of all LGBT citizens through the passage of just laws; your station as an outstanding national and local role model, a beacon of hope and a symbol of unity and pride for the whole LGBT community; and your ever faithful example in teaching us all how to be compassionate advocates for the poor, the disenfranchised, and the voiceless.

______________________

Above: Rep. Karen Clark at OutFront MN's annual Lobby Day – April 14, 2011. (Image: Michael J. Bayly)

This event made history as it saw the first sitting Minnesota governor address participants. Governor Mark Dayton declared “I stand with you,” and vowed to block any efforts to curtail LGBT equality. Dayton also shared his belief that people should be free to marry the man or woman they love. “I believe that day will come,” he said.

For more images and commentary on this day, click here.



Above: A somber Karen Clark is joined by House Democrats and Senator Scott Dibble moments after the Republican-controlled Minnesota House of Representatives voted May 21, 2011 to place the 'marriage amendment' on the November 2012 ballot. (Image: Michael J. Bayly)

For more on this momentous development and the events leading up to it, click here, here, here, here and here.

Above: In November 2012 the 'marriage amendment' was rejected by Minnesota voters. Three months later Rep. Karen Clark and Senator Scott Dibble introduced their bill for civil marriage rights for same-sex couples. At a February 28, 2013 media conference they were joined by three couples and their children and spoke of strengthening families by allowing gay and lesbians the equal rights of recognition of their families under Minnesota state law. (Image: Terry Gydesen)

Above: Karen Clark speaking to the media after the March 12, 2013 passing of HF 1054 by the MN House Civil Law Committee. (Image: Michael J. Bayly)

Right: I had the honor of testifying as Executive Coordinator of Catholics for Marriage Equality MN (aka CPCSM) in support of HF 1054 at the House hearings on March 12, 2013.

For more about this important step forward for marriage equality at the Minnesota Legislature and to read my testimony, click here.

Above: Rep. Karen Clark and her partner Jacquelyn Zita leave the Minnesota House chambers after the Minnesota House passed HF 1054, the 'gay marriage bill' of which she is chief author – Thursday, May 9, 2013. (Image: AP Photo/Jim Mone)



6/30/26 UPDATE

Karen Clark, the First Lesbian to Serve
in the Minnesota House, Has Died at 80

– Minnesota Public Radio News
June 30, 2026


Recommended Off-site Links:
In Just Two Years, Gay Marriage Makes Dramatic Turn in Minnesota – Doug Belden and Megan Boldt (Pioneer Press, May 12, 2013).
Marriage: How Minnesota Got From There to Here – Lori Sturdevant (Star Tribune, May 12, 2013).
An All-Out Push Set Up Shift on Gay Marriage – Baird Helgeson (Star Tribune, May 12, 2013).
Minnesota House Passes Same-Sex Marriage Bill – Paul Tosto (Minnesota Public Radio, May 9, 2013).
Marriage Equality Victories Show How Change Happens, One Step At a Time – Gar Alperovitz (Yes!, May 9, 2013).

UPDATE: White House to Honor State Rep. Karen Clark as 'Harvey Milk Champion' – Joe Kimball (MinnPost, May 21, 2013).

See also the previous Wild Reed posts:
Two of the Most Inspiring Speeches of the Historic Minnesota House Hearing and Vote on Marriage Equality
Drawing the Circle Wide
At the Minnesota State Capitol, Two Big Steps Forward for Marriage Equality
"It'll Be Legal August 1st"
Both 'Marriage Amendment' AND 'Voter Photo ID Amendment' Rejected by Minnesota Voters
In the Struggle for Marriage Equality, MN Catholics are Making a Difference by Changing Hearts and Minds
The Minneapolis (and Online) Premiere of Catholics for Marriage Equality
Marriage: "Part of What is Best in Human Nature"
A Head and Heart Response to the Catholic Hierarchy's Opposition to Marriage Equality
In Minnesota, Catholics Sing Their Support for Marriage Equality
"A Thoughtful, Entertaining, and Inspiring Event"
Lisa Cressman's Concise, Reasonable Answers to Marriage Equality Questions

Springtime by the Creek

. . . Minnehaha Creek, that is!

As I've mentioned on several previous occasions, I'm very fortunate to live quite close to Minnehaha Creek. In fact, I can see it from my bedroom window!

A tributary of the Mississippi River, Minnehaha Creek starts at Gray's Bay at Lake Minnetonka and winds 22 miles through the cities of Minnetonka, Hopkins, St Louis Park, Edina and Minneapolis before flowing into the Mississippi just beyond Minnehaha Falls.

I've come to greatly appreciate and enjoy spending time walking and exploring along that part of this beautiful ribbon of water as it winds through the area of south Minneapolis where I live. And of course it's been an especially wonderful thing to experience the changing seasons when living so close to Minnehaha Creek and its surrounding parkway and areas of urban wilderness.

This past Friday, May 10, I walked with my friends Rick and Brian eastwards along the creek to Chicago Ave. and Turtle Bread Cafe and Bakery. Then on Saturday, my friend and housemate Tim and I walked westwards along the creek to Lyndale Ave. On both occasions I had my camera with me and so can get to share with you today some images of springtime along Minnehaha Creek. Enjoy!

Right: My friend Brian on one of the many bridges that span Minnehaha Creek.










Left: My friend Rick, the soon-to-be new spokesmodel for Perrier!

Above and below: Views of Minnehaha Creek and surrounding area – Friday, May 10, 2013.

Above: Saturday, May 11, was much cooler than the day before. But that didn't stop Tim and I from setting off for Washburn Library on Lyndale Ave., and the nearby coffee shop!

See also the previous Wild Reed posts:
The End of a Very Long Winter
Photo of the Day – April 22, 2013
Spring Snow
Shadows and Light
A Winter Walk Along Minnehaha Creek (March 2013)
Winter Storm (December 2012)
An Autumn Walk Along Minnehaha Creek (October 2012)
A Springtime Walk Along Minnehaha Creek (March 2012)
Waiting in Repose for Spring's Awakening Kiss
A Springtime Prayer

Images: Michael J. Bayly, Brian Hutchins, and Tim Lynch.

The Soul Within the Soul

There is a Soul within the Soul.
Seek it out.
There is a Treasure in your mountain.
Seek it Out.
A mystic in motion, if that's what you are,
don't seek out there; seek inside.

– Rumi

See also the previous Wild Reed posts:
Quote of the Day – November 16, 2011
The Harvest Within the Heart
Keeping the Spark Alive
The Sufi Way
Sufism: A Call to Awaken
In the Garden of Spirituality – Hazrat Inayat
The Winged Heart
Richard J. Foster on Prayer
Thoughts on Transformation (Part 2)
Thoughts on Transformation (Part 3)
A Dance of Divine Light
As the Last Walls Dissolve, Everything is Possible
Threshold Musings

Image: Australia dancer Paul White in choreographer Meryl Tankard's The Oracle.

Two of the Most Inspiring Speeches from Today's Historic MN House Hearing and Vote on Marriage Equality

Earlier today the Democratic-led Minnesota House of Representatives voted 75-59 in support of Housefile 1054, a bill legalizing civil marriage for same-sex couples. Four Republicans crossed party lines to vote Yes, two Democrats voted No. This is the same bill that I, as Executive Coordinator of Catholics for Marriage Equality MN (C4ME-MN), testified in support of when it was debated by the Minnesota House Civil Law Committee on March 12, 2013.

The Senate version of the bill is expected to easily pass when it is debated and voted on this coming Monday, May 13. Governor Mark Dayton, a strong supporter of marriage equality, has said he will sign the bill into law, thus making Minnesota the 12th state in the U.S. to allow same-sex marriage. Same-sex couples will be able to legally marry beginning August 1. Today's historic vote took place less than six months after a Republican-backed Minnesota constitutional amendment aimed at banning same-sex marriage failed at the polls.

Before today's vote a debate was held on the Minnesota House floor. Following are transcripts of the speeches by two members of the House. I find both of them to be quite eloquent and inspiring. Perhaps you will too!

The first, by Representative Susan Allen, an Ojibwa woman, reminds me of the insights shared in the previous Wild Reed post, 'North America: Perhaps Once the Queerest Continent on the Planet." The second, by Representative Rena Moran, an African-American woman, bring to mind the observations of Diana Hayes on the connection between the black and LGBT struggles for civil rights.

Representative Susan Allen (DFL), District 62B:

Mr. Speaker. Members. I want to start by saying thank you to all those who have committed themselves to bringing about marriage equality, especially Rep. Clark and Sen. Dibble who have spoken out from their hearts, I believe out of a strong desire to live in accordance with their values. I begin by saying that I respect the sanctity of marriage and what it means to various individuals and groups. In Ojibwa culture, we believe that sharing a life with another is a sacred responsibility. Individual couples may get married in the Wedigaywin lodge by a pipe ceremony that involves lighting a small fire, feeding each other, sharing water and sharing the pipe. This Ojibwa ceremony has existed since time immemorial and it will continue regardless of what we decide here today. This bill is about marriage equality under the law.

I have always resisted the idea that minority groups including the LGBT community need to be included within the existing legal, political and social frameworks rather than changing such frameworks for themselves. In other words I object to the notion of equality with a dominant group. Therefore my hope is that marriage equality will no longer be defined solely on the terms of heterosexuals because it promotes assimilation as the way to gain legal rights rather than representing a challenge to the values that predominate in the dominant culture.

Of course equality with those who enjoy the privilege to marry is entirely appropriate when it eliminates the extreme hardships of unequal treatment or to achieve particular goals as this bill does. But it’s important to me how we frame marriage equality. I realize my discussion of equality and privilege is far beyond the scope of this bill so I will tell you why I support this bill.

I support this bill because it recognizes that marriage is dynamic and that marriage is a human good with certain inherent requirements that the state does not create but should recognize and support in all forms. I believe this is the first step in improving the ways in which members of the LGBT community are represented and treated.

Representative Rena Moran (DFL), District 65A:

Thank you Mr. Speaker and Members. Last night I left session pondering whether I would speak on behalf of House File 1054. Not because I don’t believe it’s the right thing to do. I believe it is. But more because as a person of faith, I didn’t want to upset those in the black community of faith who believe that marriage is between a woman and a man. But this morning I woke and I knew what I had to do. As a descendant of slavery, and one whose ancestors were seen as ‘less than,’ I cannot take that message forward into the 21st century, and deny an individual, a human being, the dignity of loving who they are and, in turn, loving who they choose. For me, this decision is not so much about a religious belief, but instead is about a basic human right. A right given to all by a well-known phrase in the United States Declaration of Independence, a phrase that is meant to exemplify the inalienable rights with which all human beings are endowed by their creator, for their protection, of which they institute government.

Today I stand here confident, capable of celebrating this historic moment, a moment much like the one that my ancestors celebrated and believed-in during the civil rights era, an era of being equal. There’s no compromise to that. Either we are equal or we are not equal. Equal is really equal. So today, I stand believing that we are on the right side of history, a time where all regardless of sexual preference, will be able to make a commitment through marriage, to love whoever you choose to love, for nothing is stronger than love. So today I stand in support of love: Housefile 1054.

Related Off-site Links:
Minnesota House Passes Same-Sex Marriage Bill – Paul Tosto (Minnesota Public Radio, May 9, 2013).
In Historic Vote, Minnesota House Approves Marriage Equality Bill After Two-Hour Debate – Associated Press via the Star Tribune (May 9, 2013).
Minnesota House Approves Gay Marriage, 75-59 – Pat Kessler (CBS Minnesota, May 9, 2013).
The Catholics, Other Faith Groups Behind Minnesota Marriage Victory – Terence Weldon (Queering the Church, May 9, 2013).
Photos: Marriage Equality Bill House Debate at State Capitol – Minnesota Public Radio (May 9, 2013).
Latest ABC News/Washington Post Survey Finds Support for Same-Sex Marriage, Ending Boy Scout Ban – HuffPost Gay Voices (May 9, 2013).
Gay Marriage: Why Attitudes Have Changed – Terence Weldon (Queering the Church, May 7, 2013).
Marriage Equality Victories Show How Change Happens, One Step At a Time – Gar Alperovitz (Yes!, May 9, 2013).

See also the previous Wild Reed posts:
Drawing the Circle Wide
At the Minnesota State Capitol, Two Big Steps Forward for Marriage Equality
"It'll Be Legal August 1st"
Acknowledging, Celebrating, and Learning from Marriage Equality's 'Triumphs of Faith'
Something to Celebrate
Both 'Marriage Amendment' AND 'Voter Photo ID Amendment' Rejected by Minnesota Voters
In the Struggle for Marriage Equality, MN Catholics are Making a Difference by Changing Hearts and Minds
The Minneapolis (and Online) Premiere of Catholics for Marriage Equality
Marriage: "Part of What is Best in Human Nature"
A Head and Heart Response to the Catholic Hierarchy's Opposition to Marriage Equality
In Minnesota, Catholics Sing Their Support for Marriage Equality
"A Thoughtful, Entertaining, and Inspiring Event"
Lisa Cressman's Concise, Reasonable Answers to Marriage Equality Questions

Image 1: Minnesota Public Radio.
Image 2: Kim W. Havey.
Images 3-5: Minnesota House of Representatives Public Information Services.