Anyone who’s up to date with politics has heard plenty about the Minnesota marriage amendment, and the somewhat confusing language that goes with it.
A person would think voting no on an issue related to gay rights is a vote against allowing them to marry. Yet the rhetoric is twisted around a bit. The issue being voted upon is whether to pass an amendment that would be detrimental to gay rights.
There are yard signs that say Vote No!’ and then beneath that they clarify: Don’t Limit the Freedom to Marry. This is all very confusing, which is why the Southwest Minnesota State University Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Ally club is planning a panel to shed some light on the issue. It’s going to be called In the k“NO”w, playing on the word no, which has become central to the campaign slogan.
The panel will discuss these issues, stress the importance of getting out to vote, and letting your voice be heard. It will feature a number of guest speakers from the community and will take place on Oct. 10 at 7 p.m. in the upper Conference Center ballroom
Katie Stromme, co-chair of the SMSU GLBTA, spoke about the panel.
“It’s a group of speakers that have some authority on the subject. They’re going to discuss how it affects different segments of the population… heterosexual couples, lawmakers, children…”
So who does this amendment really affect? What does voting no mean? Contrary to what some may believe, this amendment is not about allowing gay people to marry in the state of Minnesota. That’s not even on the table.
This is a choice between leaving things as they are (no gay marriage in Minnesota, but it still recognizes gay couples married elsewhere), and making marriages between a man and a woman the only kind the state recognizes. The polls show a fairly even split between those who support it and those against it, much like the attitude of the nation as a whole on gay rights.
Regardless of where people stand on the broader subject, this is taking it a step further than some people are comfortable with.
Two people of the same sex getting married is already illegal in this state. This amendment would mean going into the state constitution and rewriting it so that the only marriage that is valid or recognized in Minnesota is one between a man and a woman. That may be what drives the undecided voters the other way.
Stromme is optimistic about the outcome of this amendment, but the polls are close.
“I obviously hope it gets struck down, but this same bill has passed in thirty states. Even California, with Prop. 8,” she said. “I’ve only been here for a year, but I have faith in these people. There’s lots of common ground.”
Stromme and other members of the GLBTA participated in a phone bank to reach out to voters and inform them of what this choice means. The calls are geared towards moderate voters who are unsure of where they stand, and those who are confused about what this amendment even means.
Some of the volunteers at this phone bank have even said that people they’ve talked to thought this was an attempt to legalize gay marriage. Others they spoke to planned to vote yes, but couldn’t explain why when asked about it.
Whatever the people of Minnesota decide, it’s crucial to get out and vote in November. With all the yard signs and bumper stickers floating around, it’s obvious that this issue is one that the people are passionate about.
