There’s a Storm a Brewin’ in Minnesota: NOH8MN

Fear & Hate

Some say the Rapture came to Minnesota last night, bringing fear and hatred.

In the waning hours of Saturday night, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed a bill that places on the November 2012 ballot the question of whether to amend the Minnesota Constitution to ban same-sex marriage. This bill was not passed without a somber, civil, sad fight.

All of this happening just 20 minutes from our home, DH & I huddled around my computer listening and watching a live feed from the House Chamber floor. From the feed, we could hear chanting and cheering and faintly make out the words from just outside the chamber doors, "Just Vote No."

To be clear, there is already a law that defines a marriage as one man and one woman. This ballot item could change the Constitution to reflect the same.

Why I Take Issue with This

While Motherly Law is not a political blog, and generally I leave the politics out of my posts, I do have this to say regarding this issue. I was proud to be a Minnesotan last night as I listened to my fellow DFL (Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party) members and a few Republicans crossing party lines take a stand and discuss why a No vote was in order. I was extremely disappointed in the passage of this bill though.

Firstly, we have friends and family members in same-sex marriages or relationships, depending on what the laws of their state will allow. We love and support these stable, loving, devoted couples.

Secondly, any laws or movements or bills that in effect will limit people's personal rights and choices, regardless of how it is presented in the bill or movement or law, gets my dander up and puts me on the defensive.

This morning we explained to the Darling Boys what had gone on in our state capitol last night. We explained that we support people to make their own choices about whom to love and to define for themselves what family looks like so far as these choices do not harm or endanger others {as is the case with any right afforded anyone}.

We asked the boys how they would feel if someone told them they couldn't ever wear the color green; or they couldn't be friends with a certain person; or they had to go to a different school than the one we have chosen because the government thought another school was a better choice. The boys said they would be sad and would not like that. They thought they should be free to make those decisions for themselves. We agree.

The People of Minnesota

Many of those who voted for this bill cowardly and slyly passed it off as being something the people of Minnesota should decide. To my knowledge, the people of Minnesota did not ask to decide this question. The people in my part of Minnesota happily live side by side with same-sex couples; attend church with same-sex couples, send their kids to school with kids with same-sex parents and have dinner with friends who happen to be same-sex couples.

As the insightful DFL Representative from New Brighton, Kate Knuth, stated, she is fearful of the messages of hate that will come to our state and fill our airways and newsprint for the next 18 months. I agree with Rep. Knuth. These messages and campaigns, inspired by fear and hate, are now inevitable in our peaceful, "Minnesota Nice" state. It is this I cannot live with; this that I am fearful of; this that I abhor.

The Scoop

So, those of you who would bring such messages to my state, my city, my neighborhood, know this: the gloves are off; there will be no Minnesota Nice to greet you. Minnesotans are strong, educated, equality-minded people who won't allow their state to be overcome with hate, fear and suspicion.

Minnesotans began organizing a #NoH8MN {No Hate in MN} campaign within minutes of the passage of this bill. There are now Twitter accounts, Facebook pages, websites, and even a march earlier today all meant to combat the fear and hate that this bill represents.

As the fine Representative John Kriesel (R) of Cottage Grove pointed out as he defiantly crossed party lines to vote, "Hell No!"; we are talking about people. As he reflected about a specific man from Minnesota, who was gay, who was a soldier, who lost his life defending our country, Rep. Kriesel said he could not support a bill that in effect says this man was not good enough to choose whom he loved and wanted to marry, but was good enough to be sent off to war and be killed for our country.

This issue is about people, not religion. This issue is about all of us, regardless of your sexual orientation. This issue is about personal rights and choices. Period.

As if on cue, just minutes after this bill passed with a vote count of 70- 62, the rain began to pour, the lightning strike and the thunder roll. This is about people. Over and out...

Anna

Comments

[Katy]

A to the MEN, sister.

[Diana Duchek]

Very beautifully written. You are SO right and good for you for being so wonderfully open and honest with your boys. Hopefully this future generation we are bringing up will bring the change we need.

[Kim Curran-Moore]

Well spoken, thank you.

[Heidi]

I could feel your passion right through my computer screen! Nice post.

[Keli]

That sums it up! Well said. I spent all week emailing MN House members and of the over 50 emails I sent all week, I got TWO responses. There are now reports (and screenprints) showing that some representatives who voted Yes are now deleting emails without even reading them. Some people are even getting inappropriate, unprofessional responses from their House members, one telling a woman to "Give it a rest!!!!!!" (Rep. Toby Cornish). It's appalling how they are blatantly disregarding ethics, our Constitution, and what the people really want. Every decision is either personal agenda or political gain these days, and it's unfortunate.

[Keli]

**Sorry, Tony Cornish

[darcie]

I agree.
I had this convo with my 5 year old tonight - but not by choice. We have always told our kids it's ok to love whomever they wish...regardless of sex. Today however, someone told our kids it's against the law for girls to love girls and boys to love boys, blah blah blah.
How often do you see gay men in the news doing something terrible like beating someone at the bus stop or shooting someone? I think our government should be working on bigger issues at hand. ugh.

[Tracy]

We did the SAME thing at our house...our kids are too young to understand the weight of this issue, but we tell them that we love everyone and treat everyone with respect, no matter what. This is discrimination, pure and simple.

We too have friends and family that are gay, and we will fight this fight along-side them.

I am always reminded of when I was teaching and one of my first graders had 2 moms. I think about that little girl all.the.time. Part of me wanted to put her in a bubble, so I could protect her from all of the unkind things she will hear throughout her life - thankfully, as a first grader, all she knew was that she came from a loving, safe, and caring home. That is more than I can say for many of her classmates - coming to school without breakfast, parents coming to conferences under the influence, and even a homeless child. Why, when you look at the other issues that were going on with students in the very same classroom, are we putting so much time, energy, money, and hate into something like a Gay Marriage ban. Where will it get us?