In my perfect world, the sacrament of marriage would only be
defined by churches, synagogues, mosques and other faith communities. It certainly would not be defined by
Republicans, Democrats or any party.
Unfortunately, politicians decided in 1977 to change Minnesota law to
define marriage as between one man and one woman. Now the political battle over the definition
of marriage rages again.
In my perfect world, all human beings would be treated
equally under the law. Unfortunately,
politicians have tied that equal treatment to the legal definition of marriage
over 500 times in Minnesota law alone. For
this reason, it is the legal definition of marriage that determines over 500
individual rights in Minnesota statutes alone.
Obviously, none of us live in our own perfect world. We live in a world of opposing opinions and
conflicting goals. I, like many of my
friends in the Independence Party of Minnesota, am conflicted between a
political definition of marriage and protecting the rights of all
Minnesotans. After a lot of research and
long consideration, I have decided where I stand as an individual on this
issue.
I support legislation to remove language from Minnesota
statutes that defines marriage as being between one man and one woman. I support the legislation presented by
Representative Karen Clark and Senator Scott Dibble for two reasons.
My first reason for supporting this legislation is because
it doesn't expand the definition of marriage as much as it removes the
limitations installed in 1977. It also
adds language that protects religious organizations’ rights to define and
recognize marriage as they wish.
My second reason for supporting this legislation is because
I support the Independence Party of Minnesota’s core values. One of those core values is our support for
“a society that is inclusive, embraces diversity, and protects everyone’s
rights.” Everyone’s rights are not
protected under current Minnesota law.
This legislation removes one of the barriers to equal rights for all.
Please put the rights of every Minnesotan first. Please join me in supporting every
Minnesotan’s individual rights by supporting this important legislation.
