Thursday, 2/26 Protest

David Strand joined me at the entrance to the House, holding a sign that reads "EQUAL MARRIAGE RIGHTS NOW." He spoke with a group of young people that had gathered around him.

It was FFA lobby day so the Capitol was full of blue jacketed young folks checking things out and chatting with lawmakers.

There was also a contingent of Canadians from Vancouver present. They were there promoting the 2010 Winter Olympics that will be held in Vancouver. As I was standing there holding the "LET ME MARRY MY PARTNER OF 18 YEARS" shower curtain, three of them came up to me separately to offer support and to invite us to move to Canada where they don't have to do what I'm doing because nobody even blinks an eye about gay marriage. It's been the law there for 6 years. One gave me an Olympics pin.

I spoke with Senator Tom Saxhaug who has decided not to sign on to the bill "this year." We'll be talking again.

Thurs. 2/26, House Meets 10:30; Senate 11:00

I'll be at the House at 10:00, Senate at 10:30. Please join me.

Pogemiller and Kelliher Are Blocking Gay Marriage

Both protests went great, today. House Republicans came in through the front entrance today so I got to greet some of them for the first time. I even exchanged pleasantries with Mary Liz! It's nice to have the push for sponsors over with in the House. The pressure is off.

On the Senate side, I'm tryng to connect with Tom Saxhaug and succeeded in talking to Tom Bakk. He said he usually signs on to all "those" bills and "will probably sign it." He asked for a copy, which I supplied. We just need two more senators in order to fill the duplicate. We can still drop it in even if it isn't filled though.

I also learned today that Speaker Keliher and Senate Majority Leader, Larry Pogemiller are trying to prevent the Marriage and Family Protection Act from progressing in the legislature. They are actually trying to prevent the bill from even getting a hearing! Here are their phone numbers: Kelliher 651-296-0171 / Pogemiller 651-296-7809.

Thursday, Feb. 19, House Meets 10:30; Senate 11:00

Join me at the Capitol in a demonstration for marriage equality - 10:00 at the entrance to the House, 10:30 at the entrance to the Senate. I guess Tom was wrong. They really are meeting.

Presidents Day Protest PM

David Strand joined me for the afternoon protest at the entrance to the House. There was quite a good crowd on hand watching a history program going on in the rotunda. They had someone in Abe Lincoln drag speaking to the crowd and he was heckled by an organized group of Dakota people protesting Lincoln's involvement in the execution of 38 Dakota people in Mankato. One of the protesters was arrested right in front of us.

The Marriage and Family Protection Act was introduced today and has been issued a number - H.F. 893. The bill was referred to the Civil Justice Committee. Now, we have to get to work on that committee to get a hearing and to get the bill passed out of committee. The committee chair is Rep. Joe Mullery(DFL), District 58A. His number is 651-296-4262. Please call him and urge him to hear our bill.

Presidents Day Protest Going Well

This photo was taken at this morning's protest at the entrance to the Senate. The young woman who's girl friend took the picture was touring the Capitol and wanted a souvinir. I wish I had thought to offer to take a picture, with their camera, of the two of them behind the banner. Oh well.

Lobbyist, Tom Lehman told me this morning that today is the only day the legislature will be meeting this week. The legislators will be attending meetings around the state on Thursday, taking the pulse of the citizenry on budget issues.

I met Coleen Rowley while protesting this morning. She was walking around the Capitol with David Strand who is trying to find a legislator to carry a bill repealing the state's version of the unnecessary, unconstitutional and oppressive, so called "Patriot Act." She was very nice. I told her I never thought an FBI agent would be my hero, but she certainly is after blowing the whistle on pre-911 misdealings by the agency.

-More after the House protest.

Great Marriage Equality Rally

The marriage equality rally was a success. There was a good sized crowd of around 200, great media coverage and even some counter-demonstrators. Some of the speakers included: Reps. Phyllis Kahn, Karen Clark, and Frank Hornstein; Senators John Marty, Scott Dibble, Linda Higgins and Patricia Torres Ray.


Many supporting organizations were represented, including: Marriage Equality Minnesota, Marry Me Minnesota, Join The Impact - Twin Cities, Green Party of Minnesota, MN NOW, Outfront Minnesota, Rainbow Families, Lavender Greens, Stonewall DFL, and Log Cabin Republicans.

Who's that behind the podium?

Big Rally for Marriage Equality Thur. 2/12 at Capitol

Tomorrow at 2:30 there will be a rally in support of the Marriage and Family Protection Act in the Capitol Rotunda. I will be speaking along with many other supporters of the bill. Please come.

3 More Lawmakers Back Gay Marriage

This week, Rep. Tom Huntley of Duluth, Sen. Linda Berglin and Rep. Michael Paymar stepped forward to put their names on the Marriage and Family Protection Act. Thank you, lawmakers! That brings us to 8 senators and 23 representatives! I met with the House author, Rep. Phyllis Kahn yesterday and she said that at 23, this bill has more support than any of her other bills.

On Thursday, I protested at the House and was joined by a young woman who was working at the Capitol as an employee of the Minnesota Council of Churches. She said she needed to go on vacation in order to protest with me, which she did, and then informed her boss from behind the banner as he passed by. He seemed amused. She stayed for a half hour, then took off her Marriage Equality Minnesota sticker and went back to work. I went over to protest the Senate side.

Next protest is Monday, Feb. 9 at 9:30 AM on the Senate side for half hour; the House at 12:30, done at 1:00.

Thursday 2/5, House Meets 10:30; Senate, 11:00

I'll be at the House entrance at 10:00, Senate at 10:30 for a shower curtainy good time. Please come.

Monday, Feb. 2 Senate Meets 11:00; House 1:00

I will be at the Senate entrance at 10:30 and the House at 12:30. Please join me.