State Fair becomes first battleground on anti-gay marriage amendment
Friday, September 02, 2011 at 12:14 pm
- 7 Comments
A poll by the Minnesota House of Representatives at the Minnesota State Fair has become a rally point for both supporters and opponents of a proposed constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage in the state nearly 17 months before the vote in Nov. 2012.
The Minnesota House of Representatives State Fair poll is an annual event where fair-goers can stop by the booth and weigh in on issues facing the state. This year, the unscientific poll will feature a question about the amendment.
“The Minnesota House of Representatives has a booth at this year’s state fair, which is featuring their annual State Fair Poll where people can vote yes on the Minnesota Marriage Amendment,” Minnesota for Marriage said in a press release. “By visiting the booth inside the fairgrounds, fair-goers will also receive the chance to weigh in on other high profile issues that will be on the November 2012 statewide ballot in Minnesota. Hurry! We are already halfway through the fair, which ends on Labor Day, Sept. 5th. Make your voice heard and vote yes on the Minnesota Marriage Amendment!”
Minnesota for Marriage — a coalition of the Minnesota Family Council, the Minnesota Catholic Conference and the Washington, D.C.-based National Organization for Marriage — is in attendance to educate Minnesotans about why the affiliated groups want the Minnesota Constitution to bar marriage for same-sex couples. The materials being handed out by pro-amendment forces have come under fire from critics who say they are fact-challenged.
The group originally had a booth outside the fair, but Minnesota for Marriage announced Thursday it has secured space within the fairgrounds.
“Initially, our coalition could not secure space inside the fairgrounds, so we set up just outside in front of the Church of the Holy Childhood,” said John Helmberger of Minnesota For Marriage. “Thankfully, we have been able to secure space inside the fair itself, and are now set up at Underwood St. and Wright Avenue, positioned directly under the Wright Avenue sign. We are delighted to be on the Fair grounds and expanding our dialogue with fair-goers about why the Minnesota Marriage Amendment is needed.”
On the other side, Minnesotans United for All Families, a coalition of organizations that oppose the amendment, is urging its supporters to vote “no” in the House poll.
“From now until Labor Day, families will be gathering at the Minnesota State Fair to eat food on a stick, ride roller-coasters, meet livestock from all over the state and … cast a straw poll vote on whether two people who love each other can get married,” Minnesotans United said in a statement. “The Minnesota House of Representatives is hosting a straw poll at the State Fair, asking if Minnesotans support the upcoming anti-marriage constitutional amendment. We have an opportunity to show our opposition by showing up in force to vote NO!”
Minnesotans United also has a presence at the fair, including support at the booths of the DFL, Independence and Green parties.
The Uptake caught up with opponents of the amendment this week who are holding panel discussions about the issue:
Follow Andy Birkey on Twitter7 Comments
Comment posted September 2, 2011 @ 2:37 pm
I certainly hope that Minnesota will reject the bigotry and hatred that inspires groups like NOM and the Family Council. Do we really hold these truths self-evident that ALL men are created equal, or are some more equal than others? It comes down to a vote between the Declaration of Independence and Animal Farm. NOM and their allies are firmly in the Animal Farm camp, so while they are at the fair, I certainly hope they are near the animals, it would be fitting.
Comment posted September 5, 2011 @ 9:00 am
I feel sick that the State Fair allowed anti-LGBT bigots a voice while denying one to the pro-marriage side. Hate and discrimination are NOT Minnesota values.
Comment posted September 5, 2011 @ 4:38 pm
I was there yesterday, and the anti marriage booth didn’t have a hopping lively activity but did have one or two people in front of it. I had to hold everything I had in me to not do something or say something, I had my kids with me, and my husband just put his arm around me and said calm down. The kids asked what was wrong, and I was so tight lipped I couldn’t speak. The hubby just said some very not nice people that are bullies. The oldest new, she is almost a teen, the youngest just said, my teacher doesn’t allow any sort of bully to be in our class, we had the talk. I was happy my kids were not in Anoka that moment to say the least. The hubby did end the walk across the booth, with a loud enough statement of, “Look, we now know what Bigots look like”. It made me happy to have a spouse that understands, it also made me turn to my spouse and my children and say…. This is why we need to stand up, vote the right way, and continue to voice our opinions. I was so upset that the booth was in front of the kidway. Doesn’t anyone feel the way I do about the fact that indoctrination of putting that sort of stuff in front of the kid way is exactly the same idea of any religious agenda moment of no condom on a stick in front of a kid?
Am I the only married, with kid, straight girl who grew up catholic that feels this way. Granted, I can’t be the person of “faith” to come out this way, since I am no longer a catholic, but there has to be people of faith that feel this way.
Straight alliance is the key to the fight of this civil right I feel it in my bone.
Comment posted September 7, 2011 @ 8:17 pm
The liberal news media is always publishing polls that “prove” the majority of Americans support homosexual marriage. Yet, when put to a free and fair vote, it always loses … 30 states so far, even in liberal California! The only states where it is legal … those whose courts or legislatures rammed it through without a public referendum. That tells me the liberal news media is LYING.
So let’s put it to a vote. What are you afraid of liberals?
Pingback posted September 8, 2011 @ 3:41 pm
[...] news outlets covering the poll results include the Minnesota Independent, MinnPost, Politics in Minnesota, Richfield Patch, and ThinkProgress, among others. GLAAD urges the [...]
Pingback posted October 22, 2011 @ 7:38 pm
[...] news outlets covering the poll results include the Minnesota Independent, MinnPost, Politics in Minnesota, Richfield Patch, and ThinkProgress, among others. GLAAD urges the [...]
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