MAPE votes to oppose anti–gay marriage amendment

The Minnesota Association of Professional Employees (MAPE) voted on Friday to oppose a ballot measure that, if approved by the voters 2012, would place a ban on same-sex marriage in the Minnesota Constitution. MAPE’s board of directors voted unanimously on the issue.

“We were supportive of domestic partner benefits in 2001 because of our union’s belief in fairness and equality for all. We remain committed to making sure that all of our members, their families or any Minnesotan is not subjected to discrimination,” Jim Monroe, executive director of MAPE, said in statement. MAPE has approximately 13,000 members.

In 2001, the public employee union backed Gov. Jesse Ventura’s efforts to have domestic partner benefits included in contract negotiations for state workers. Legislative Republicans killed the domestic partner agreement, however.

Monroe added, “The Republican-led legislature should focus on creating jobs and turning the state’s economy around, rather than championing discrimination against their fellow Minnesotans.”

MAPE joins several other labor groups in opposing the amendment. The AFL-CIO, AFSCME Council 5 and the SEIU have also announced opposition to the amendment.