Log Cabin Republicans laud Sen. Ortman’s vote against marriage amendment

By Andy Birkey
Friday, May 06, 2011 at 1:08 pm

Sen. Julianne Ortman of Chanhassen earned praise for the Log Cabin Republicans on Friday after she was the lone Republican to vote to table a bill that adds a constitutional ban on gay marriage to the 2012 ballot. The motion to table was brought by Sen. Tom Bakk, DFL-Cook. Ortman had previously spoke in favor of rights for same-sex couples.

“Minnesota Log Cabin Republicans wishes to express its thanks to Senator Julianne Ortman (R-Chanhassen) for her vote today in the Senate Rules Committee to table a bill that would allow for the Minnesota state constitution to permanently ban same sex marriage,” the group wrote in a statement. “While we are saddened that the committee ultimately voted to send the bill to the full Senate for passage, we are hopeful that there are Republicans like Senator Ortman who are willing to stand up for fairness and against discrimination.”

The Log Cabin Republicans also included a speech that Sen. Ortman gave to the group last year.

…when I first heard marriage bills in this committee in 2003 and 2004 and they were the most painful hearings at the capitol that I recall. When the whole discussion was about whether the constitution should be amended to become a sword, to hurt people, to identify people as different and create disparities. And it was a terribly painful conversation for us to have around here and one that was very difficult to hear…I hear a very hopeful debate, hopeful that the state will recognize folks with a change in the law.

…the whole debate has changed 180 degrees and for that I’m so grateful; I’m certain that you all must be….And I see that minds and hearts are changing on this issue every single day. I don’t know when the majority of Minnesotans will switch, will change, will support your views. I don’t know that. But I know minds and hearts are changing on this issue every single day.

“Minnesota Log Cabin Republicans believes there are other GOP legislators who believe as Senator Ortman does,” the group added. “We ask them to stand up for equality and against discrimination.”

Republican Rep. John Kriesel of Cottage Grove has also come out strongly against the amendment in the House.

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Comments

8 Comments

Ben
Comment posted May 6, 2011 @ 5:41 pm

I was listening to MPR the other day replay a story on the Civil Rights movement. Southern arguments for continued segregation seemed ridiculous and outlandish by today’s standards. The GOP’s push against gay marriage already seems perversely antiquated today. 10 years from now it will seem moreso.

Sam
Comment posted May 6, 2011 @ 8:34 pm

Another Republican who gets it. Anti-gay marriage amendments are so useless. The fact that these amendment have slowed to a crawl is because A) public opinion is changing and B) we have more important matters than worrying whether John can marry Issac. I intend to vote No if this gets on the ballot because I don’t care if John can marry Issac. I’m tired of Republicans wasting time with social issues that don’t matter. Let the gays get married and lets move on.

Thanks, Senator Ortman | Brick City Blog
Pingback posted May 6, 2011 @ 8:40 pm

[...] 6, 2011 by seanolsen 0 Comments Sen. Julianne Ortman cast the lone dissenting Republican vote in the Senate Rules Committee Friday morning against the Constitutional Amendment to ban gay [...]

Joseph
Comment posted May 9, 2011 @ 8:45 am

Senator Ortman,

Thank your for standing up for American values. Now, over 30 + countries offer same-sex marriage equality or unions leaving America behind.

marie
Comment posted May 10, 2011 @ 10:18 am

Thank you for being brave, when you are pressured to pander to any group that means more people being dragged in to vote for people within your party, no matter what the reasons are for that vote. Thank you for putting ethics before votes!

Lane
Comment posted May 11, 2011 @ 8:51 pm

Hey Log Cabin Republicans, I got this email message from Ms. “I can’t walk the talk” Ortman after her vote today to send the amendment to the 2012 ballot:

Thank you for contacting me regarding the marriage amendment that passed through the Senate floor today. I understand that you have strong feelings on this issue, as do many. This is a difficult issue; there is a sea of fear surrounding the issue, with everyone on both sides concerned that their way of life is under attack.

People have been working for many years to bring this issue to a vote in a general election, and they elected majorities in both Houses through direct representation to accomplish their goal.

I voted to table this bill in the Senate Rules committee last Friday, because this proposal is controversial and divisive; quite honestly, I would have preferred to finish our work on solving the budget crisis first. However, the bill did pass through all committees, as well as the Rules committee, and was moved to a vote on the Senate floor. I believe that the best way to resolve this issue now is to have faith in Minnesota voters, and to trust that they will resolve it in the best interests of the people of this State.

Thank you again for bringing your concerns on the marriage amendment to my Senate office. Your input does make an impact on our conversations at the Capitol. I encourage you to continue to write to me on any legislative issue of interest to you.

Sincerely,

Julianne Ortman

Lane
Comment posted May 11, 2011 @ 8:53 pm

As I just emailed Ms. Ortman, I just have to have faith that the good people of Minnesota will vote AGAINST ALL GOP-sponsored constitutional amendments and restore DFL control in both chambers next year.