Loring Park Freeway Blogging Parallels DC March

It was refreshing being out freeway blogging again. Duane and I were there with dozens of others perched on that bridge with the long name that connects Loring Park to the Sculpture Garden, flying our flags of dissent. There were massive honks and waves of support from under-passing motorists and one asshole, in the biggest, most Republican SUV I've ever seen, sticking his privileged middle finger up at his fellow citizens that only want the same civil rights he has.

HRC, Good Bye.

Letter to the Human Rights Campaign:

As much as I despise the right wing and Ted Olson's part in it, I believe he is sincere in this effort and this team he is PART of should be supported by the GLBT community.

I am dismayed at HRC's public attempt to obstruct this effort that could result in the nationwide recognition of our right to marry. You should be supporting this.

Of course, there is the risk that the case could fail, but I will accept the assessment of Boies and Olson, experienced constitutional scholars, who see a good chance to win, rather than the predictably overly-cautious response of a gay rights establishment that wants an iron-clad guarantee of success before it will make a move. Life does not work that way. We have to try when the opportunity presents itself and we might fail, but we have to try.

We still don't have ENDA, or hate a crimes law, or an end to DADT, or repeal of DOMA. I now believe that that lack of success is attributable to HRC's overly-cautious attitude as demonstrated over this issue. I will take my chances with Boies/Olson and their brave clients. My husband and I will not continue contributing to your organization.

Doug Benson

Prop 8

Apparently, a federal suit has been filed on behalf of California gay couples by none other than the former Bush vs Gore adversaries, Ted Olson and David Boies...together. Wierd. Ted Olson stands for everything I despise in this country and he should be watched very carefully. He claims the case would stand a very good chance of success with the Supremes. He claims to support marriage rights and said he was against Bush's anti-gay marriage amendment even though he was Bush's Solicitor General. Maybe he's sincere. We'll be watching.

The suit seeks a preliminary injuction against Prop 8 until the federal suit is resolved. Presumably, if it's granted, same-sex couples could resume getting married as if Prop 8 didn't exist.

A Message From The Speaker

Dear Queers,

About Marriage Equality going nowhere this session...SORRY. We're not avoiding dealing with it, it's just that BUDGETS COME FIRST! You can't have civil rights AND A BUDGET! Never mind about Vermont, Maine and New Hampshire passing marriage equality - they don't have budgets to deal with. And then there's healthcare. WILL SOMEBODY PLEASE THINK OF THE CHILDREN!?

Maybe we'll do something next year. Oh wait, that's an election year...SORRY. Two years from now...nope. We'll be just two years from the next election and there might be another Gail Kulick Jackson who's seat we need to protect. SORRY QUEERS! Better luck next decade...or whenever.

And, just let me say for the record, I DID NOT tell the chairman of the Civil Justice Committee, "NO MARRIAGE EQUALITY BILL HEARINGS THIS SESSION." I didn't. The Speaker of the House, who appoints and removes committee chairs, does not have that kind of influence anyway.

Remember, I'm from the gayest district in the state. EVERYBODY knows I LOVE THE GAYS and they love me. Don't be left out. Go to my campaign website and contribute. Did I mention I'm running for governor? Oh yeah, and just imagine how great things will be for the gays if I get into a position of power.

See you all at Pride!

Simply,
Margaret

Final Day of Session

Wrapped up final day of protest this morning. Xandra Coe and myself were in attendance. Queers 2, Bigots 0. We win again! Ha ha.

Capitol Protest Sunday

Stand for Marriage Equality at the Capitol from 1:00 to 2:00 today, Sunday, 5/17. Meet on the second floor, north side, at the House of Representatives. Signs available.

Saturday Protest

My husband, Duane, at the Capitol today, held our shower curtain that graphically points out the fact that lawmakers are allowing the years to pass while we are held in second class citizenship.

Today's score is: Queers 4 - Bigots 0. The anti-gay crowd never even showed up. I guess they felt overwhelmed yesterday being outnumber 3 to 1 and just couldn't take another day of that.

Yesterday, one of them stuck a piece of filthy, anti-gay hate literature in my bag while my back was turned - while I was fighting for equality. I found it when I got home.

Judy and Xandra joined us at the Senate today with a great sign Xandra made that read, "Is it time for Gay Marriage in Minnesota? YES!" They've been together for 18 years too.

CAPITOL PROTEST TODAY, SATURDAY

Protest from 11:30 to 2:00. Meet at the House.

The "Stand Off" Continues

Times have changed. The Minnesota Family Council claims 250,000 members across the state. They sent an email to their membership pleading for volunteers to come to the Capitol and protest against Marriage Equality. Three people came yesterday, four today. It is reasonable to presume that these few people who bothered to show up would be the hardcore zealots on their side. Well, they support civil unions. I spoke with them this morning. Four years ago, there were hoards of them at the Capitol praying for us to die and now, the few that show at all, support civil unions!

WOULD SOMEBODY PLEASE TELL THE DFL LEADERSHIP TO GET OFF THEIR CHICKENSHIT ASSES AND MOVE ON MARRIAGE EQUALITY!?!!!

Stand For Marriage Equality At The Capitol

The first day of Marriage Equality Minnesota's week-long protest, "STAND FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY" was a success. We out-numbered the bigots in the 10 AM to Noon vigil that covered both the House and Senate entrances. The protest continues all week, from 10 to Noon. Greens, Democrats and Log Cabin Republicans were all present and pushing marriage equality. This is a multi-partisan issue that we need to keep in front of legislators in this final week of the session.

Friday's Protest

No gay-hating bigots with signs today and actually, they didn't even show up at the Senate yesterday - just the House.

While in front of the House this morning, holding the "LET ME MARRY MY PARTNER OF 18 YEARS" shower curtain, Rep. Tom Rukavina from the Range came over chuckling and said something about celebrating my 25th anniversary "here." I exclaimed, jokingly, "Christ, I hope not!" "This better be over with by then!" He said he was sure it would be as he grabbed my shoulder, laughing.

I chatted with Rep. Phyllis Kahn, the House author of our gay marriage bill, who said the bill would get a hearing by the Civil Justice Committee this summer, probably in July.

While protesting at the Senate, I asked Sen. Dibble and Sen. Torres Ray, both co-authors of the Marriage and Family Protection Act, to encourage Sen. Moua, also a co-author, to hold a hearing, soon. Perhaps if she holds a hearing, first, that includes a vote, maybe the House committee will follow suit and hold a vote, as well. The current intention of the House committee is to hold just an "informational" hearing.

We need a demonstration of real intent by the DFL to move this issue forward and a concrete sign of progress like passage by a committee under their control, this year.

Prayer Day Brings Bigots Back To Capitol

When I woke up this morning, MPR was talking about National Prayer Day, so I knew there would be the usual unconstitutional ritual on the Capitol lawn. I brought an appropriate banner for the day. It quotes the first amendment of the Constitution of the United States which reads, "CONGRESS SHALL MAKE NO LAW RESPECTING AN ESTABLISHMENT OF RELIGION." It doesn't say "A" religion, just "religion," meaning religion in general. So, I was holding that banner up at the entrance to the House and a Rep. came up to me and said, "I like your sign better than theirs." I thanked her and looked around seeing only disability funding advocates. So, I thought wow, what has she got against the disabled? Then later I noticed anti-gay marriage protesters standing right next to me. It's tough to get old.

Well, I switched signs then to, "LEGAL MARRIAGE FOR GAY COUPLES NOW" to make the distiction clear between messages. The bigots came late so nearly everyone was inside when they got there and the doors closed.

The pages I had addressed earlier in the week were gathered around the bigots to hear their rant, in the interest of education. Some of the pages came over after a while to tell me what the others were saying. One of the pages must have been getting into it with the bigots because Steve, the page director, had to drag him away by the arm. Later, the young man came back to tell me the bigots said that if we get gay marriage, their anti gay speech will be criminalized. Wouldn't that be nice. I told him, "The First Amendment protects their hate speech and they will be able to show up at the Capitol like they're doing today until hell freezes over. However, it may become socially unacceptible to speak disrepectfully about gays just the way it has become unacceptible to speak disrepectfully about black people and women. That's what they're afraid of." If that's their defense, that, boohoo, they will no longer feel comfortable pubicly advocating for our elimination, we've won.

They were still there when I left for coffee, which is where I am now. I'm headed back to do the Senate at 11:30. Not looking forward to this. I'm sure the nuts will be there in force praying for me to die.

Wednesday's Protest

I used the "LET ME MARRY MY PARTNER OF 18 YEARS" shower curtain today, as yesterday. It really seems to touch people.

No DFL Caucus today on the House side so everyone just wandered in. I like that better. It gives me a chance to chat with people. When they come from caucus, they go by in a big herd and I miss contact with a lot of them.

Kelly Lewis from OutFront was there today. I've never seen her lobbying before. She was there for the House vote on the anti-bullying bill and didn't seem optimistic.

During the break, I had coffee at Amore Coffee in St. Paul. Never been there before. It's very good and very gay.

The Senate only started twenty minutes late. That was okay because I got to see just about everybody. Monica Meyer stopped by to inform me of the exciting Maine news. She had the message on her Blackberry and was very elated. Me too. It was fun telling some of the Senators the news. It really is great to be protesting for marriage equality at the Capitol and getting news about another state doing what should have been done here years ago.

Maine Goes Gay Marriage

Their governor signed the bill today. Yay! That makes five. Is NH next?

The House meets at 9:30 tomorrow and the Senate at Noon. I'll be there at the usual times.

Today's Protest

Had an encounter with Senator Bonoff on the Senate stairs. We were alone and I said hi as she was about to descend. She reciprocated and added, " It doesn't look like there'll be a vote this session. I agreed and said "I still have this clone (duplicate marriage equality bill) bill with me if you'd like to sign on.". She declined to sign on but said she'd vote for it. Not THIS session, I guess.

House Meets 9:30 All Week

I'll try to be there at 9:00 each day. The Senate meets at Noon. Time for coffee and there at 11:30!

Monday Live Capitol Blog

Finished the Senate protest. Bob, the security guy told me there was a busload of couples that went to Dubuque over the weekend to get married. Scott Dibble told of ten couples getting hitched today.

Well, off to the House.

Monday, 5/4, Senate Meets 11:00; House Noon

I'll be there to protest at 10:30 Senate and 11:30 House. If you don't show up, they get to ignore gay marriage...

Monday 4/27's Protest

Yesterday, I was joined at the Capitol by a living monument to gay rights activism in Minnesota, Robert Halfhill. He was an organizer of the first gay rights organizations in Minnesota back in the 1960s and has been a vigorous and tireless activist ever since. His sign drew many nods of agreement.

We protested at the Senate first, until the doors closed. While there, I had a brief conversation with Sen. Moua and expressed our desire to see a hearing on the Marriage and Family Protection Act before the session ends. Something might happen.

On the House side, we were joined by about thirty other protesters. Most of them were the disability funding advocates but some were Welfare Rights Committee folks. They're all getting screwed in this budget.

Monday 4/27 Senate Meets 11:00; House Noon

I'll be at the Senate at 10:30; House 11:30.

Live At The Capitol

The House delayed their start by an hour. Oh, my aching back. I guess they were here until 1:30 last night, hence the delay. I chatted with Rep. Phyllis Kahn for a while. She holds out hope for a hearing in the House this session. Hope she's right.

Waiting now to start on the Senate side. Just chatted with Matt, one of four lobbyists working for the City of Minneapolis. He's not the one who is pushing marriage equality as part of the city's agenda, but he tells me there is one. He was telling me that Sen. Scott Dibble's office is getting a lot of viscious hate mail from opponents of the bullying bill. No doubt they're concerned about their "right" to harrass and intimidate. Nice folks.

Lobby Day Morning Protest

I started at the House and moved over to the Senate when the doors closed. I addressed a group of volunteer pages this morning. Steve, the director of the page program usually brings the new groups over to me. They gather around as I stand there with the shower curtain and I introduce myself as the Protester Exhibit. It's always good for a chuckle. I give them a quick explanation of why I'm there; "I'm here because I think same-sex couples should have the same ability to legally marry as, etc... " They're always interested and very polite. Some express support. At the end, I always thank them for volunteering as pages and tell them why I think it's important, then Steve leads them away.

Well, I'm at Black Dog having coffee right now, but I'm headed back to the Capitol for the Lobby Day Rally.

Senate/House Both Meet At 9:30

There at 9:00. Probably at the House.

Live Capitol Blog

I just finished protesting at the House entrance. Disability funding advocates were back protesting. Good! I wish there was a thousand of them. When our humanity is the focus of lawmakers, we all benefit.

The security guys were razzing me for being late this morning. Apparantly, my "pay" will be docked after I'm tazered. : ) I told them I'd be missing a few days while I'm out of town on business, soon. I do this because last year they had the State Patrol check up on me, out of concern, when I didn't show up for a few days. Good guys.

See everyone at Lobby Day tomorrow.

Monday Afternoon House Protest

I got there a little late and my usual spot was taken by disability funding advocates which turned out to be good because my being in a new location resulted in more people noticing the new banner (left). Rep. Karen Clark, the longest serving openly lesbian lawmaker in the country, was tickled by the message and thanked me for bringing it. A lobbyist and former legislator sidled up and told me he thought the message should embarrass Minnesota legislators, but he doubted they would get it. Karen got it. I got a similar reaction to the message from former senator, Roger Moe last week. He was really amused by it. He also said he thought that in ten years there would be marriage equality across the country. I told him, "I hope you're right."

There were a couple of camera crews on hand at the House today, KSTP and WCCO, plus radio reporters from other stations. They were seeking the House Tax Committee chair. I suspect they were preparing to pounce on the DFL for proposing to add a new 4th tax bracket that would include married couples making upwards of $300,000 per year. Heaven forbid rich people should be fairly taxed.

It was a good day at the Capitol with many positive experiences...glad I went.

Monday Morning At the Senate

Lots of visitors in the building today so I used the "LEGAL MARRIAGE FOR GAY COUPLES NOW" shower curtain. It's explicit enough for the non-legislator to understand the purpose of my being there.

Had a nice conversation with a man who testified at the anti-bullying bill hearing. He was anti-choice and didn't believe in marriage equality, but civil unions. He didn't really seem to have thought it out. It can be so disheartening to talk to gay people who are so conditioned by society to think of themselves as lesser beings that they oppose their own equality.

Monday 4/20, Senate Meets 11:00; House 1:00

Protesting at 10:30 Senate; 12:30 House. Come on down!

Capitol Protest 4/14/09 a Success

Thank you to all who participated in the protest. We had enough people to dominate the hall outside the House chamber and legislators noticed. Some commented on the growing number of marriage equality protests and protesters.

Participants included a group that came all the way up from Mankato and a representative of the Log Cabin Republicans.

This event was a success and a nice lead-in to Outfront's Lobby Day next week on the 23rd. Let's keep the momentum growing!

DFL LEADERSHIP CLEARS WAY FOR FLOOR VOTES IN BOTH CHAMBERS!!!

In a joint press conference held by Speaker of House, Margaret Anderson Kelliher and Senate Majority Leader, Larry Pogemiller today, it was announced that they would seek a suspension of committee deadline rules so the Marriage and Family Protection Act could proceed to committee hearings and floor votes in both houses of the legislature.

The DFL leaders said that a generation of gay marriage bashing by the right wing is enough and the time for action on marriage equality is now. "The DFL will not stand by and allow this state to continue discriminating against thousands of gay families who's only demand is equality," said Speaker Kelliher. Senator Pogemiller said, "We have the power to bring the legislative branch into alignment with the founding principles of this country and the consciences of all good and fair minded people. Because the DFL has the numbers needed, we have the responsibility to pass this bill. To vote to end discrimination is our duty regardless of a likely veto by the governor. History will shine brightly on our actions."

When asked if the DFL feared retribution at the polls in 2010, Speaker Kelliher said, "We are not here to be re-elected. We are here to do the right thing."

APRIL FOOLS!!!

Senate Meets Noon, Wed., 4/1; House 12:30

I'll be there to demonstrate for marriage equality at 11:30. Please come.

Monday, 3/30 Senate Meets 11:00; House 1:00

I'll be there a half hour before both. I've emailed the protest group so there may be some company.

Protest A Success

Wednesday's protest drew around 40 people to the hallway at the entrance to the House. People held signs calling for progress on the bill, chanted slogans and one person staged a die-in. Participants provided their names and emails for furture contact. Hopefully, some will become regulars. After an hour, the group dispersed.

Tuesday Surprise

Both chambers are meeting today - the Senate at Noon, House at 12:30. The same schedule tomorrow, Wednesday, and oh yeah, there's a big protest at Noon at the entrance to the House demanding a hearing for the bill. This is crunch week, and if we don't get a hearing by Friday, the bill is done for this session. Isn't that just great? It's a non-election year, the DFL has 2 to 1 margins in both houses of the legislature but it's still not safe enough for the leadership to even give us a lousy hearing.

This all hinges on the actions of the Speaker of the House, Margaret Kelliher. She has the power to direct the Civil Justice Committee chair to hear the bill. Will she do it??? Please call her and encourage her to do so, today; 763-296-0171.

Monday, Senate Meets 11:00; House 1:00

I'll be at the Senate at 10:30 to demonstrate for marriage equality, House at 12:30. Come on down!

Senator Mee Moua Is Pissed

She wants very much for the Marriage and Family Protection Act, a bill she co-authors, to be voted on in both houses of the legislature. Unfortunately, the DFL House leadership is failing to arrange for a committee hearing with a vote on the bill. So, Senator Moua, the Senate Judiciary Committee chair, refuses to hold a hearing on the bill unless the House has a hearing and a vote, too. She understands how important it is to have the bill pass both houses of the legislature whether it is vetoed by the governor or not.

The Speaker of the House, who represents the gayest district in the state, is not behind a gay marriage bill that would pass if she demanded a proper hearing and a vote. She has the power to make that happen. We are not fighting the Republicans here. They can't stop this bill. The Republicans don't have enough power in this legislature to blow out a candle. We are fighting with the DFL leadership to get them to allow a vote on a bill designed to end marriage discrimination against thousands of gay and lesbian families across this state.

Monday 3/16, Senate Meets 11:00; House 1:00

I'll be demonstrating for marriage equality at the entrance to the Senate at 10:30 and at the House entrance at 12:30. We are beginning to attract opposition protesters. Please come and support marriage equality.