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On January 28th, 2004, 150-200 Minnesotans supporting the equal right of
same-sex couples to participate in civil marriage packed the hearing
room in the State Office Building where the House of Representatives’
Civil Law Committee held an “informational meeting” about marriage. The
information is being solicited as the Committee’s chair, Rep. Mary Liz
Holberg, prepares to introduce a proposal that would amend the state
constitution to bar same-sex marriages, and potentially any legal
relationship, between same-sex partners.
Five speakers discussed marriage-related issues, and the evolution of
the same-sex marriage debate. Two University of St. Thomas law
professors argued that the roots of marriage trace to ecclesiastical
teachings of St. Augustine and hence cannot be changed without great
damage to the institution itself, and that the steady train of victories
in courts around the country in favor of equality in marriage demands
that constitutions be amended to prevent such outcomes. OutFront
Minnesota Executive Director Ann M. DeGroot spoke about the fact that
marriage has, indeed, evolved, a theme picked up by the remaining two
speakers, a University of Minnesota sociology professor with a long
history of marriage-related research, and a professor from Lutheran
Seminary. DeGroot also spoke movingly about the real impact that the
inability to form legally-recognized partnerships has on same-sex
couples.
Questioning from members of the committee reflected a broad range of
opinions on the matter: some were openly critical of the proposed
amendment, others demonstrated patronizing attitudes towards the
proposal’s opponents, and still others expressed concern about the
appropriateness of inserting such language into the constitution itself.
The high--or low--point of the hearing may have been when one of the law
professors, speaking in favor of restricting marriage to heterosexual
couples only, defended the position by citing allegations of declining
population in Europe. This was met with tremendous laughter by the
audience, prompting Committee staff to call in a guard to prevent
further outbursts. The professor did not, of course, explain how
preventing same-sex couples from marrying in Minnesota would increase
the apparently flagging reproductive efforts of Europeans.
OutFront Minnesota believes that the effort needed to fight off this
harmful proposal will be great--and that our community needs to be
engaged in every step along the way. Having so many people in the room
for this hearing was an incredible showing--and made a difference.
OutFront Minnesota will continue to publicize to our community
opportunities to take part in the campaign to defend our families--and
our constitution. |
