Marriage Equality Bill Gathers Momentum

The Marriage and Family Protection Act, the first marriage equality bill ever introduced in the Minnesota legislature is making a return run in 2009. Once again, we are fortunate to have Senator John Marty and Representative Phyllis Kahn carrying the bill. The bill has to be reintroduced this session because it is the first year of the biennium. I have been at the Capitol seeking co-sponsors since the bill came back from the Revisor earlier this month. It has been difficult finding people at the Capitol because it's an off time but so far we have 3 senators signed on, out of a possible 5, and 10 representatives. Among those signed on are, Senator Scott Dibble and Representative Karen Clark. There are more people who have pledged to sign on that I just haven't run into yet. I will keep at it.

Strib Commentary Urges Bill's Passage

In a commentary written by a straight Minneapolis couple touting their intention to marry in Canada as a protest of Minnesota's marriage laws that discriminate against gay couples, the couple urges the legislature to pass the" recently introduced Marriage And Family Protection Act." Oh, hell yes! I believe this is the bill's debut in the Star Tribune even though I sent them a press release last week. We'll take it! This should stimulate some discussion.

To All Those Involved - Thank you!

The Marriage And Family Protection Act is now introduced in the legislature and on the record. Even though there wasn't a vote on the bill this session, the fact remains that a bill designed to end official and unconstitutional discrimination against same-sex couples in the state's marriage statutes took the first step to becoming law. That step required the actions of many people of courage who believe in equality. I thank them here.

First, thanks to my old friend Representative Mike Jaros for allowing me to bring a marriage bill to the Revisor's office, on his authority, and for initially carrying the bill.

Next, thanks to Senator John Marty for carrying the bill in the Senate and for making improvements to its content. Thanks to Senators: Patricia Torres Ray, Linda Higgins, Sandra Pappas and Mee Moua for co-authoring the bill.

Thanks to Representative Phyllis Kahn for carrying the House bill and to Representatives: Mike Jaros, Cy Thao, Karen Clark, Alice Hausman, Carlos Marianni, Erin Murphy, Diane Loeffler, Augustine "Willie" Dominguez, Mindy Greiling, Neva Walker, Frank Hornstein, John Lesch and Ryan Winkler for co-sponsoring.

Thank you, to my wonderful husband, Duane, who makes me feel like the luckiest guy on the face of the earth and who makes it possible for me to be at the Capitol protesting, where I am fortunate to have him occasionally join me.

Thanks to Matt Peterson and Robert Halfhill for their contributions to the effort and to my sister, Dilly, for cheering on her little brother .

Thanks to David Strand for bringing his superior political knowledge and skills to the effort in the waning days of the session, helping to identify and secure some support for the bill and for agreeing to take a leadership role in the campaign to make the Marriage And Family Protection Act the law of the land.

Thanks to the many DFL lawmakers who frequently express solidarity and encouragement to me while I'm protesting and to a few GOP legislators who have stopped to express respect for the effort.

Also, a tip of the hat to the opposition lobbyists, Keith and Ruth Anne for being friendly enemies.

Thanks to the Revisor, Craig Lindeke, for his guidance and supportive words. Thanks to lobbyist, Dave Engstrom and other lobbyists, Capitol staff, security people, state troopers, local police officers patroling in the Capitol and visitors, young and old, for their support, encouragement and kindness.

I want to pay respect to someone I've never met, whose activism was a comfort and inspiration to me as a closeted young gay man in the seventies. Jack Baker tried to end marriage discrimination nearly four decades ago in this state through the courts and remains a symbol of the marriage equality movement. His effort is a reminder that even though the numbers may not seem to be on our side, it's important to try. That's what we're doing and we're gonna win.

Last Day Good Day

Duane joined me at the Capitol today and held the "LEGAL MARRIAGE FOR GAY COUPLES NOW" shower curtain. He had fun. A couple came up and had their picture taken behind the banner with him. On the Senate side, a security guard said to Duane, "you get one day off and he makes you come here?"

David also came to protest and held the "CIVIL MARRIAGE CIVIL RIGHT" sign. Rep. Karen Clark and Sen. Scott Dibble had their picture taken with the three of us and the signs.

Rep. Phyllis Kahn, the House author of the Marriage And Family Protection Act presented me with an autographed copy of the bill. She wrote, "ON TO VICTORY!" Yeah!

We knocked off about 2:30.

Bill Introduced In Both Houses

H.F. No. 4248, the Marriage And Family Protection Act was officially introduced in the House today. I found out while protesting at the Capitol this morning when Rep. Kahn brought me the list of bills introduced today while I was in front of the Senate. There weren't any bills introduced yesterday even though Rep. Kahn turned the bill in on Thursday. I guess they wanted to wait for them to pile up a bit. Senator Marty happened upon the scene as well so we had a brief moment of celebration over our accomplishment.

This is a link to the Senate bill, S.F. No. 3880.

Still Waiting For House Bill To Show Up

The House bill still hasn't shown up but no bill has shown up today and I know there are other bills to be introduced this session...so who knows. We'll just keep watching. The Senate bill is in and on the record.

Andy Birkey of the Eleventh Avenue South blog did a nice story on our effort today. It's worth checking out.

The Senate Bill Has A Number...3880

The press release has been released. It was sent to AP, MPR and the newspapers. The House bill has not shown up on the House website yet but it was dropped in and will come up today.

This is a great day for my family and thousands of other families across this state. We have a bill and hope.

Marriage Equality Bill To Be Dropped In Thursday - Really...This Is It

I met with Senator Marty this morning and he said he will drop the bill in on Thursday morning, coordinating the drop-in with Rep. Kahn. That means the bill will be introduced on Friday. Senator Marty took some pride in the fact that this bill means Minnesota will take the lead in the Upper Midwest in the legislative push for Marriage Equality. Indeed.

As I told many legislators while I was in the process of gathering sponsors, "this bill is an effort to turn the train around and get it headed in the right direction." No matter what happens with this bill after it is introduced on Friday, the train will be turned.

14 On Bill In House; Senate 5

The bill has been returned to Rep. Kahn with a total of fourteen representatives signed on and is ready for introduction. It should be noted that five is the maximum allowable on a senate bill. I talked with her this morning and she will talk to Sen. Marty to coordinate the drop in. I will visit him this morning. The Senate meets at 10:30.

Rally Day

It was a normal protest day for me except on the way up the steps to the Capitol, I ran into Monica Meyer, Outfront MN's legislative director. We had a chat about my bill and Outfront's new plan to push for Marriage Equality. She outlined the numerous components Outfront's campaign would involve. I told her my bill will be introduced this session, that I think it will help any effort Outfront undertakes in this area and that I want Outfront to succeed.

When I got inside, the hall in front of the House was full of queers waiting for their representatives to come out of the chamber to meet with their groups. The "GAY MARRIAGE IN MINNESOTA IN 2008" shower curtain was well received. There were also Outfront staff (or volunteers) stickering lawmakers as they passed. Even some Republicans accepted and wore the stickers.

I was happy to run into my old friend, Pete Golden at the rally. He came down from Duluth on a chartered bus. There were about as many people at the rally as there were last year. We listened and applauded the speakers. Senator Marty was not asked to speak this year...no surprise there I guess. He might have mentioned the gay marriage bill he's introducing.

Delay...Again

The Senate Majority Leader's office, after being harranged by Outfront Minnesota, weighed in at the last minute before Monday's planned drop-in, to express disapproval that a Marriage Equality bill was being introduced this session. Thankfully, the two senior lawmakers carrying this bill are absolutely committed to introducing it this session and I believe they will do so. I was convinced of that fact after Senator Marty called me yesterday to assure me of their commitment, however, they will delay the introduction of the bill until closer to the end of the session.

Since there is little chance of the bill passing this session, introducing it later will still have the same effect, which is to break the ice on Marriage Equality with a bold move in a low pressure (deadlines have passed) legislative environment, paving the way for a continued effort next year.

Marriage Bill Ready To Be Dropped In

Today I finished collecting a full slate of co-authors for both the House and Senate bills. The "Marriage And Family Protection Act" is carried in the House of Representatives by Representative, Mike Jaros and co-authored by Representatives, Phyllis Kahn, Karen Clark, Cy Thao and Alice Hausman. The Senate bill is carried by Senator, John Marty and co-authored by Senators, Patrcia Torres Ray, Linda Higgins, Sandra Pappas and Mee Moua. I returned the bill to Senator Marty's office this morning after getting the last signature. Tomorrow, I'll get the House bill back to Rep. Jaros. It should be dropped in next week. Thank you to all those who have signed on to the bill.

It's in the hands of the authors now. They will move quickly to introduce it and I will urge them to move its passage from the floor. I believe it will pass the legislature because there are so many lawmakers that have expressed their support to me during my years of daily protesting for marriage equality inside the Capitol.

The Senate meets tomorrow at 10:30; House at Noon. I'll be there doing the usual thing.

Aiming For Next Week

The marriage bill came back from the Revisor with an error so it had to go back. Too late now for it to be introduced this week.

Marriage Bill Renamed, Streamlined

Senator Marty and Rep. Jaros wanted some changes to the bill before it goes in. The new title is " The Marriage And Family Protection Act", (replacing "Religious Freedom" with "Marriage," Sen. Marty's idea) and both wanted to cut down on the number of legislative findings. Senator Marty reworked the bill over the weekend and read the changes to me over the phone while I was in the car traveling back from Duluth. I liked the changes. He cleared it with Rep. Jaros and sent it to the Revisor late yesterday so it should be introduced this week.

Gotta go now and protest in front of the Senate at 10:30.