Obama, Franken speak out against Minnesota anti–gay marriage amendment
Tuesday, May 24, 2011 at 11:24 am
- 10 Comments
Sen. Al Franken and the White House both issued statements on Monday regarding a proposed anti–gay marriage amendment to the Minnesota Constitution. Obama’s message was lukewarm; he said leaving the issue to the states was the best idea, while Franken said the amendment would write discrimination into the Minnesota Constitution.
In a statement to the Washington Blade, the White House said, “The President has long opposed divisive and discriminatory efforts to deny rights and benefits to same sex couples or to take such rights away. While he believes this is an issue best addressed by the states, he also believes that committed gay couples should have the same rights and responsibilities afforded to any married couple in this country.”
Franken said, “Every Minnesotan deserves dignity and equal treatment under the law, and our state’s same-sex couples should have the same right to marry as anyone else — period. This amendment would do nothing more than write discrimination into our state’s constitution and add to the barriers same-sex couples already face to the full recognition of their families. I’m hopeful that common sense and compassion will prevail and that this amendment will be defeated.”
The amendment passed the Minnesota House on Saturday night and will be on the ballot in 2012.
Follow Andy Birkey on Twitter10 Comments
Comment posted May 24, 2011 @ 12:20 pm
Thank you President Obama and Senator Franken. Leadership is hard, and so are some Minnesota hearts.
If Limmer and Gottwalt want dialog, why do they run from Minnesotans in the halls of the Capitol?
Jeff Wilfahrt, father of CPL Andrew Wilfahrt.
Comment posted May 24, 2011 @ 12:25 pm
Jeff, I never thought I’d have the chance to tell you this personally, but thank you for the great service you son has done for our country. You should be proud of his sacrifice. The legislators putting this forward, especially the GOP leadership, should be ashamed of their attempt to hijack the very constitution that your son died to defend. They couldn’t even bring words to defend their actions, and we all will remember that next November. They have failed to defend the constitution and represent their constitutions who overwhelmingly did not want that, and that will be reflected in our vote. Thank you!
Comment posted May 24, 2011 @ 12:53 pm
Jeff, your son gave us his all on the battlefields of Afghanistan The least we can do in return is to honor his sacrifice by doing everything possible to defeat this hateful amendment.
Comment posted May 24, 2011 @ 1:53 pm
I am ashamed that our president can’t do better in honoring the sacrifice of gay Americans like Andrew Wilfahrt. I don’t care what President Obama’s personal feelings are about gay marriage, his obligation is to step up for the rights of everyone to enjoy the full civil rights and benefits of marriage. With Wisconsin now seeking to deny gay partners the right to visit loved ones in the hospital, I think it is UNDENIABLE that discrimination against gay families exists and that gay marriage must be the law of the land. The petty cruelty of some Americans against their fellow citizens should not be subject to state-by-state whim.
Thank you Mr. Wilfarht for speaking out, despite the obvious pain this must cause you and your family. I look forward to the day when we can celebrate the resounding defeat of hate in our state.
Comment posted May 24, 2011 @ 1:56 pm
@C Dungan: Michigan also is using their amendment to deny same sex couples benefits in their state. Discrimination has NO place in our constitution!
Comment posted May 24, 2011 @ 3:03 pm
All the GOP did was too REALEASE the CRACKIN of HATE and Divisivness to garner Votes from thier wackjob Far Right Base…thats all it is – a Political Ploy cause’ they know thay have NOTHING when it comes to REAL solutions for MN…..I just HOPE this is soundly Defeated, and the GOP is sent packin!
((When is history has ANY Other Groups Rights Been Put up to a Popular Vote???)
– This DISGUST ME!
Comment posted May 24, 2011 @ 3:04 pm
Joe
Comment posted May 24, 2011 @ 1:56 pm
@C Dungan: Michigan also is using their amendment to deny same sex couples benefits in their state. Discrimination has NO place in our constitution!
…Oh I know, I almost wanna PUke everytime I see that Commerical on TV pushing Michigan as some wonderful place to live…NO THANKS!
Comment posted May 24, 2011 @ 3:17 pm
Mr Jeff Wilfahrt
First off sir…I want to say THANK YOU, for your son’s service to this country,and to You and Your Wife…..I’ve seen and heard your impassioned speeches…..you’ve moved me, you’ev brought quite a few tears to my eyes……You and your wife show such courage..especially now more then ever in the Face of this HATE campaign concocted up by the GOP to garner Votes from thier Hate base come 2012.
You’ve done MOre then your share to Help the LGBT community,and honor your son’s memory sir…..
But, I’d love to see you and your wife on Tape, Confronting Maggie Gallagher & Brian Brown (NOM) and ask them.. “Why they think because of thier religion, your son didn’t deserve the RIGHT to Marry the Person he Loved”!!!! ..Id love to see them squirm out of that one…..
Comment posted May 25, 2011 @ 6:53 pm
I’d like to see a constitutional amendment banning Obama and Franken.
Comment posted May 26, 2011 @ 7:30 am
Betty Rubble
Comment posted May 25, 2011 @ 6:53 pm
I’d like to see a constitutional amendment banning Obama and Franken.
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Id liek to see a Constitutinal ammendment banning stupid baitches who know NOTHING about thier own history.
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