Gubernatorial candidates support gay marriage — with one exception
Monday, June 21, 2010 at 9:13 am
- 43 Comments
Same-sex marriage advocates think 2010 is their best chance yet to realize equality for gay and lesbian people. But a key factor will be who ends up occupying the governor’s mansion after Tim Pawlenty moves out — and whether he or she supports Minnesota joining the five other states and Washington, DC., that allow same-sex couples to wed. With the exception of Republican candidate Tom Emmer, all major candidates for governor are strongly in favor of same-sex marriage.
“For people who believe that we need to make Minnesota a place where people are not discriminated against because of who they are or who they love, this election is critical,” said Monica Meyer, public policy director of OutFront Minnesota. “We are on the verge of being able to right some wrongs in state laws. In this election, voters have an opportunity to vote for candidates who champion justice and equality for all Minnesotans.”
Of the candidates for governor, all but the Republican seem enthusiastic about making LGBT equality a reality.
Mark Dayton
Mark Dayton has said he will sign legislation legalizing same-sex marriage, but he wasn’t always the strongest supporter. In a 2004 interview with the Associated Press, he said America wasn’t ready for gay marriage.
“I don’t believe that society should be forced to accept what is being called gay marriage, and I think it would be harmful to, just as I think the demagoguery and dehumanization of some of the proponents of these measures is very harmful to gay and lesbian men and women, I think that forcing quote unquote gay marriage, [the] general citizenry I do not believe yet wants that or is ready to support that.”
Fast forward to 2010 and Dayton says times have changed.
“I unequivocally support marriage equality, meaning the right of any person to marry legally the person he or she loves,” he told the Minnesota Independent.
“I think that enough of the citizenry has shifted that the right leader can persuade them to support same-sex marriage,” he said. “In particular, my sons’ and campaign staff’s generation of people in their late teens, twenties, and early thirties are especially supportive of marriage equality.”
Dayton was outspoken as a U.S. Senator against a federal constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage and civil unions: he called it “un-American, un-Christian, and unwise” and “ugly, divisive, and destructive.” He also introduced a bill that would give federal employees in domestic partnerships the same rights as married couples.
Matt Entenza
But the weight of Minnesota’s gay lobby went to Matt Entenza at the DFL State Convention when Stonewall DFL initially endorsed him for governor this year (Stonewall was forced to drop that endorsement when Entenza lost the party endorsement). Entenza notes that since 1994, he’s been endorsed by the group every time he’s run for office.
Entenza recently told ECM Publishers’ editorial board that he will sign a gay marriage bill if passed by the legislature, but it would have to include provisions for religious institutions that choose not to perform or recognize same-sex marriage.
“But if the Legislature passed that, and groups wanted to do that, yes, I would sign it,” he said.
As minority leader in the Minnesota House, Entenza pushed for domestic partner benefits for state employees — an issue on which then-Gov. Jesse Ventura agreed — although House Republicans killed the state employees union contract that would have allowed the benefits.
“I don’t think it’s the business of government to decide how committed people are,” Entenza told the Minnesota Daily in 2001. “People go to Vegas and get married after they’ve known each other two days and that seems to be OK with conservatives.”
Entenza was also one of only four legislators to sponsor a bill to legalize same-sex marriage back in 1998 — the first time legislators had ever considered such a bill.
Margaret Anderson Kelliher
When Entenza lost the endorsement of DFL activists at the state convention, the Stonewall DFL threw their support behind Margaret Anderson Kelliher. Kelliher has represented what is probably the most LGBT-heavy district in the state which encompasses the “gayborhood” of Loring Park and the northern portion of Uptown in Minneapolis.
She says she will sign same-sex marriage into law if she is Minnesota’s next governor.
“It’s a matter of fair treatment, and when you look at the number of different unfairnesses in the law on this issue, I think that it’s a matter that we can solve,” she said.
She rallied gay activists at the Capitol in 2008 when she spoke of how times are changing gay rights in Minnesota.
“When I think of when I first came to the House of Representatives (in 1999) and how much hate would often be spewed on the House floor, and how much that’s changed, it’s fabulous because instead of that hate, we’ve replaced that hate with another four-letter word, and that’s ‘love,’” she said. “We have replaced it with love and with the word ‘fair.’ We are going to keep fighting on your behalf to make the laws of this state more fair and more just. And we are moving things forward with your help.”
In the last biennium, Kelliher cosponsored numerous bills aimed at lessening the inequalities that exist in Minnesota law pertaining to same sex couples, including a series of “death rights” bills promoted by LGBT group Project 515. She also cosponsored a bill to allow marriage rights for same-sex couples legally married in other states.
Tom Horner
Independence Party candidate Tom Horner has staked out a similar position to the DFL candidates on the issue of same-sex marriage — Horner would sign a bill to legalize it.
“I think gays and lesbians should be equal members in all aspects of our society,” he said last week in a live blog with The Same Rowdy Crowd.
On legalizing gay marriage, Horner said, “In the meantime, I’ve been working to eliminate the statutory discrimination against same-sex partners.”
Horner’s work has been with Project 515, an organization devoted to spotlighting and correcting the 515 ways Minnesota statutes discriminate against same-sex couples.
Horner’s former public relations firm, Himle-Horner, did PR work for the organization.
There couldn’t be a sharper contrast between the positions held by the DFL and IP candidates and that of Republican party-endorsed candidate Tom Emmer. He has been a staunch opponent of marriage rights for same-sex couples.
Tom Emmer
“I believe marriage is the union between one man and one woman,” he says on his campaign website. “As a legislator, I have consistently supported the constitutional marriage amendment that protects traditional marriage.”
In 2007, Emmer authored a constitutional amendment to prohibit same-sex marriage and civil unions.
In many instances, Emmer has tried to change language in bills to that same-sex couples cannot benefit. In a bill to create standards around surrogate motherhood, Emmer attempted to replace the word “parents” with the words “mother and father.” In a wrongful death bill this session, Emmer questioned the use of the term “domestic partner” just as he has in bills aimed at providing benefits for same-sex partners.
Emmer has also been criticized for his association with Christian hard rock ministry, You Can Run But You Cannot Hide Intl., Inc., which has made incendiary statements about the morality of imprisoning and executing homosexuals. Emmer’s campaign had purchased table space at the group’s fundraiser and visited with the group on the radio and in person.
“These are nice people. Are we going to agree on everything? No,” Emmer said of the ministry. “I really appreciate their passion and — you know what? — I respect their point of view,” he said. “I respect their right to have whatever view. That’s what makes it a great country. You don’t have to agree with it.”
Already, national groups have targeted Minnesota on the issue of same-sex marriage, and that is expected to intensify following a lawsuit filed by three same-sex couples in May. Two couples from Minneapolis and one from Duluth filed the lawsuit against the State of Minnesota alleging that Minnesota’s ban on same-sex marriage violates due process and freedom of association rights.
The National Organization for Marriage has bought $200,000 on television ads in Minnesota attacking DFL candidates Dayton, Entenza and Kelliher, and IP candidate Horner for supporting marriage equality for same-sex couples.
The Minnesota Family Council is predicting that same-sex marriage will become a key issue in the campaigns.
“With all the DFL primary candidates for governor — Anderson-Kelliher, Dayton and Entenza — and the Independence Party endorsed candidate Tom Horner supportive of homosexual marriage,” the group said in a statement in May, “the protection of marriage between a man and a woman will definitely be an issue in the upcoming election.”
Meyer of OutFront Minnesota said that with a LGBT friendly legislature, finding a LGBT-supportive governor to replace Pawlenty is important.
“In the past few years, the majority of the Minnesota Legislature has voted in favor of legislation to help address some of the discrimination LGBT people and their families face,” she said. “In fact, OutFront Minnesota had six bills passed by a Legislature hopeful about addressing the bullying LGBT and others face in our schools, ending the unequal treatment some state employees face because they are not allowed to provide health care to their domestic partners and children and tackling other areas of discrimination in our state laws, but all of those bills were vetoed by our Republican Governor, Tim Pawlenty.”
Follow Andy Birkey on Twitter43 Comments
Pingback posted June 21, 2010 @ 9:38 am
[...] Full Story from the Minnesota Independent [...]
Comment posted June 21, 2010 @ 2:15 pm
“I believe marriage is the union between one man and one woman.” – Tom Emmer
Holy crap! What an out-of-touch, radical! Republicans — are you serious? Is this what you advocate?
Are there no consequences for letting batshit-crazy troglodytes run wild with the Party of Lincoln?
Pingback posted June 21, 2010 @ 3:07 pm
[...] Minnesota Independent: “Same-sex marriage advocates think 2010 is their best chance yet to realize equality for gay and lesbian people. But a key factor will be who ends up occupying the governor’s mansion after Tim Pawlenty moves out — and whether he or she supports Minnesota joining the five other states and Washington, DC., that allow same-sex couples to wed. With the exception of Republican candidate Tom Emmer, all major candidates for governor are strongly in favor of same-sex marriage.” [...]
Comment posted June 21, 2010 @ 3:40 pm
The party of Lincoln, went against the “popular” vote.
Thank God he did.
But what do we expect from the same people that must condone Slavery still. Since the Bible says its ok. And the bible says that they must be anti homosexuals.
Pingback posted June 21, 2010 @ 3:51 pm
[...] The Minnesota Independent gathered statements from each candidate about their views on marriage equality. The debate over same-sex marriage in Minnesota is already gaining national attention and is expected to intensify with the gubernatorial elections and the lawsuit challenging the state’s ban on same-sex marriage that was filed last month. More Storiesgay politicians [...]
Comment posted June 21, 2010 @ 4:50 pm
But I thought Republicans were all about personal responsibility and keeping the government out of peoples’ lives. Unless you’re gay or an ethnic minority, I guess.
Comment posted June 21, 2010 @ 5:46 pm
Chayanov, following your logic, government should allow loving same-sex couples who want to commit to each other – i.e. take personal responsibility for each other – to get married.
Comment posted June 21, 2010 @ 5:55 pm
I’m still waiting to hear how gay marriage hurts “traditional” marriage. Maybe we should ask Rush Limbaugh, Newt Gingrich, their current wives, and their five ex-wives about it.
Comment posted June 21, 2010 @ 5:59 pm
Speaking of the Party of Lincoln, it’s a proven historical fact that Abraham Lincoln frequented whore-houses.
Comment posted June 21, 2010 @ 9:31 pm
Haha people voting for Tom Emmer on moral issues that will ultimately have no effect on you. Regardless what position he has on other issues. You are the poster child for uneducated voters and besides for some activist judges are the reason Bush was able to bring our country to its knees.
Comment posted June 21, 2010 @ 9:58 pm
Emmer’s right. Marriage is and always will be between one man and one woman, whether these other candidates like it or not! The only poll that counts is the one at the ballot box, and time after time, the voters of this country have said NO to gay marriage. Sorry, that’s just the way it is and it isn’t going to change. I’m donating to Emmer’s campaign immediately. Thank you, Tom, for standing up for the voters of Minnesota!
Comment posted June 21, 2010 @ 10:50 pm
Emmer is a very immoral man.
He supports radical religious groups, such as “You Can Run But You Cannot Hide Intl.Inc.” which advocate the death of LGBT Americans.
“Karen Grube” – You are also a very immoral person to support such a radical, hateful candidate.
Once the DFL candidate has been elected, I will support him or her with as much money as I can spare to ensure that Emmer is defeated.
Comment posted June 22, 2010 @ 1:59 am
Tom Emmer stands up for prejudice and religious intolerance. Too bad his positions are not consistent with the Constitution and the Republican form of government it promises. Way to go, Tommy.
Comment posted June 22, 2010 @ 3:45 am
I had thought to walk with Tom Emmer if he chose to participate personally in the Gay Pride parade next Sunday, June 27,2010, as a gesture meant to convey appreciation for presumed open-mindedness – an intention that has withered on the vine. There are just too many wrongheaded notions in Emmer’s portfolio. It would be cruel and unusual punishment to have another ideological extremist in the Minnesota Governor’s office.
Comment posted June 22, 2010 @ 4:16 am
Karen Grube’s right. Slavery has always meant white people owning black things, and, well gee golly, that beautiful Bible is just so hard to argue with, I mean, how can you NOT support slavery? Africans are slaves, whether all you Republican hippies like it or not! The only poll that counts are the ones at the ballot box, because if the South had been allowed to vote on whether to abolish slavery, we all know they would have done the right thing and kept the lowers races in their place. Dang nabbit, I’m gonna donate to the KKK immediately! Thanks Karen Grube for showing me that discrimination because I can’t see someone different from myself as an equal is A-OK!!! *thumbs up and cheesy grin*
(((let it go on the record that I *do not* support slavery OR homophobia, and that the above paragraph was obviously satirizing Karen Grube’s comment)))
Comment posted June 22, 2010 @ 2:07 pm
Lane – That’s just a weak Dano attempt at humor.
He’s been seriously schooled on more than one occasion by PQ. He should just keep his mouth shut.
Comment posted June 22, 2010 @ 4:08 pm
That weak Dano attempt at humor deserved a response similar to Dorothy Zbornak’s correcting the high school football jock’s leg cast to read “Mrs. Zbornak eats shitAKE MUSHROOMS.”
Comment posted June 23, 2010 @ 12:58 pm
No, it is not the least bit funny to utter racial, religious or homophobic slurs.
Comment posted June 23, 2010 @ 2:39 pm
Says you. Some of the funniest comedians of all time use race, gender or sexual preferance in their humor. People take themselves WAY too seriously. Lighten up Lane. Pun possibly intended. :)
Comment posted June 23, 2010 @ 5:43 pm
FAIL, Dano.
This isn’t Comedy Central – and you are no comedian.
Comment posted June 24, 2010 @ 11:23 am
Lane,
Nice try, but FAIL If you only knew how funny I can be. Neither is Franken who you seem to have an “unnatural” affinity for.
Comment posted July 5, 2010 @ 6:48 pm
It’s ironic how hard core right wingers (not to be confused with true conservatives) talk about getting government out of people’s lives, while continually proposing to codify their own brand of extreme fundamentalist religion and morality into law.
Pingback posted July 24, 2010 @ 12:58 pm
[...] marriage amendment that protects traditional marriage." Moreover, the Minnesota Independent notes, "In 2007, Emmer authored a constitutional amendment to prohibit same-sex marriage and civil [...]
Pingback posted July 27, 2010 @ 9:37 am
[...] Tom Emmer has made it pretty clear where he stands on the issue of LGBT rights. [...]
Pingback posted July 27, 2010 @ 4:01 pm
[...] Minnesota Independent reports that on several occasions, Emmer has tried to change language in bills to that same-sex couples [...]
Comment posted July 31, 2010 @ 1:24 pm
Tom Emmer is a complete and total idiot….DOUCHE BAG!!!!!!!
Pingback posted August 6, 2010 @ 2:49 pm
[...] committee that is working to elect State Representative Tom Emmer to be governor of Minnesota. Representative Emmer is on record as a vehement opponent of equal rights for homosexuals, and has stated his support of at least one [...]
Comment posted August 7, 2010 @ 11:02 am
Where is the outrage at our having a president who is unequivocally against gay marriage?
(last page of this link: http://abcnews.go.com/WN/Politics/story?id=5178123&page=1)
I guess it’s okay to be anti-Gay marriage if you’re a “progressive” but not if you’re primarily concerned with creating and running an economically-viable state government?
Pingback posted August 11, 2010 @ 12:42 pm
[...] six figures in support of Mark Dayton — who has a near perfect record on LGBT rights, and supports legalizing marriage equality in Minnesota — Target gave their wads of cash to Tom Emmer, who believes that homosexuality is immoral, [...]
Comment posted August 12, 2010 @ 5:17 pm
We must have separation of church and state. Because the morality issue regarding homosexuals is a religious one, we cannot have citizens “voting” on the issue. It has been proven that homosexuality is not a “choice” and therefore a person cannot be discounted for being homosexual. One does not have to be a rocket scientist to understand this. Right wing emotion, pandering, and religion have no place in this issue.
Comment posted August 16, 2010 @ 11:02 pm
What’s even more disturbing than Emmer’s homophobia and stance against gay marriage is his blythe approval of a pseudo-christian hate group, “you can run” that advocates for the murder of American Citizens who happen to be gay. He states that his donation to the group “was just a dinner table…” What sane person donates a dinner table to a hate group so that they can have a nice meal before they go out to promote murder. These idiots are perfect for each other and Emmer should change his name to Osama bin Emmer so that he and his homegrown taliban hate group can move up to the mountains and live together spreading hate.
Pingback posted August 17, 2010 @ 10:03 am
[...] 2007, he authored a constitutional amendment to block same-sex marriage and civil unions. He also attempted to alter language in legislation to block same-sex partners from receiving any benefits in a variety of [...]
Pingback posted September 9, 2010 @ 11:25 pm
[...] Tom Emmer has made it pretty clear where he stands on the issue of LGBT rights. [...]
Comment posted September 25, 2010 @ 7:59 pm
Tom Emmer has my vote! I will vote for any candidate who is against same sex marriage!
Pingback posted December 21, 2010 @ 6:12 pm
[...] to the LGBT community began “with opposition to same-sex marriage and runs through to wholesale denial of equal rights and alliances with organizations whose takes on the gay community neatly align with those Ugandan [...]
Pingback posted December 24, 2010 @ 7:25 pm
[...] to the LGBT community began “with opposition to same-sex marriage and runs through to wholesale denial of equal rights and alliances with organizations whose takes on the gay community neatly align with those Ugandan [...]
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