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Groups and legislators working to pass the anti-marriage amendment want
to undermine the basic principles of our country’s democracy. Basic
equality under the law enforced by a secular government is one of the
most fundamental principles of the United States. While never fully
actualized, the principal of legal equality has been used to justify
social change. The supporters of the anti-marriage amendment claim they
are populist while they work to use their interpretation of religion to
violate the rights of others.
This year and next, we will hear “Let the voters decide” in the halls of
the Capitol and read those sentiments in the letters section of local
papers. Supporters of GLBT equality will have to be equipped to talk
about why it is wrong for our state to undermine our democracy by
allowing a majority to vote on whether or not to write discrimination
into our state’s constitution. We need to educate and mobilize the
people in our lives to become active participants in defending our
democracy.
Sponsors of the Anti-Marriage Amendment:
Rep. Mary Liz Holberg (R-Lakeville, 36A)
Rep. Jeff Johnson (R-Plymouth, 43A)
Rep. Paul Gazelka (R-Brainerd, 12A)
Rep. Dan Severson (R-Saulk Rapids, 14A)
Rep. Sondra Erickson (R-Princeton, 16A)
Rep. Judy Soderstrom (R-Mora, 8B)
Rep. Pat Garofalo (R-Farmington, 36B)
Rep. Andrew Westerberg (R-Morris, 51A)
Rep. Mark Buesgens (R-Jordan, 35B)
Rep. Tim Wilkin (R-Eagan, 38A)
Rep. Greg Davids (R-Preston, 31B)
Rep. Chris DeLaForest (R-Andover, 49A)
Rep. Fran Bradley (R-Rochester, 29B)
Rep. Jim Knoblach (R-St. Cloud, 15A)
Rep. Duke Powell (R-Burnsville, 40A)
Rep. Ray Vandeveer (R-Forest Lake, 52A)
Rep. Joyce Peppin (R-Rogers, 32A)
Rep. Bruce Anderson (R-Buffalo, 19A)
Rep. Mark Olson (R-Big Lake,16B) |
