Posts by Andy Birkey

A graduate of the University of Minnesota with a degree in forestry, urban studies and sociology, Andy has been active in Minnesota’s LGBT community for the six years he has lived in Minneapolis, and has worked with and volunteered for a number of causes including LGBT rights, HIV prevention and care, transportation issues and environmental research. He has been writing Eleventh Avenue South, a blog about Minnesota LGBT news, issues, and politics, for three years and is a contributor to Metroblogging Minneapolis. Email abirkey [at] minnesotaindependent [dot] com. Twitter: @AndyMN

Allen Quist mulling challenge to Tim Walz

By Andy Birkey | 11.03.11 | 1:00 am

In his legislative career, Quist was notorious for his emphasis on social and religious issues.

Minnesota Episcopals vote to oppose amendment to ban same-sex marriage

By Andy Birkey | 11.02.11 | 2:31 pm

Episcopal Church of Minnesota Bishop Brian Prior said his church “has always stood with the marginalized.” The stance is in sharp contrast with Minnesota’s Catholic Church, which has been a main proponent of a constitutional same-sex marriage ban.

NOM brings high-powered tea party lawyer to Minnesota in marriage ballot disclosure battle

By Andy Birkey | 11.02.11 | 6:47 am

Mitchell is a rising star in conservative circles, having supported a slew of tea party candidates, pushed for photo ID laws and helped take down low-income advocacy group ACORN.

Campaign finance board temporarily upholds disclosure requirements

By Andy Birkey | 11.02.11 | 6:32 am

As the battle around the 2012 vote on a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage heats up, the board declined to open more disclosure loopholes.

Catholic Church’s marriage expert: Homosexuality comes from the devil

By Andy Birkey | 11.01.11 | 2:17 pm

“[W]henever natural causes disturb otherwise typical biological development, leading to the personally unchosen beginnings of same-sex attraction, the ultimate responsibility, on a theological level, is and should be imputed to the evil one, not God.”

Drazkowski declines run against Walz, endorses Parry

By Andy Birkey | 11.01.11 | 6:00 am

Republican Sen. Mike Parry is so far the only challenger to Rep. Tim Walz, a DFLer who first won election in 2008 and was re-elected in 2010.

Campaign finance board considers relaxing disclosure rules on ballot initiatives

By Andy Birkey | 10.31.11 | 2:45 pm

Relaxing disclosure rules would benefit groups like Minnesota for Marriage, which has vowed not to comply with some campaign finance guidelines as they advocate for a constitutional gay marriage ban,

Kline: Obama’s student loan debt plan is ‘mistake’ that won’t create jobs

By Andy Birkey | 10.31.11 | 11:30 am

For-profit colleges and companies that provide private student loans are big donors to Rep. John Kline’s campaign.

(Video) Bachmann again hammers Obama on Libya

By Andy Birkey | 10.31.11 | 6:00 am

Bachmann said Gaddafi’s overthrow has left “a mess.”

Cravaack, Bachmann, Kline join religious right in pressuring Supremes to nix Obamacare

By Andy Birkey | 10.28.11 | 11:55 am

Reps. Chip Cravaack, Michele Bachmann and John Kline lent their names to a brief filed with the U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday arguing that the Supreme Court should rule the Affordable Care Act (ACA) unconstitutional.

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