Minnesota Independent

Tim Pawlenty. Photo: Gage Skidmore, Flickr

Pawlenty confronted by Edina teen who says discrimination against gays ‘hurts’

By Andy Birkey | 08.12.11 | 3:09 pm

At a campaign stop in Iowa on Friday, a member of the audience grilled Tim Pawlenty on his views about rights for LGBT people. Gabe Aderhold, a senior at Edina High School, asked Pawlenty why he has “not had the courage to stand for me and my friends. You are discriminating against me and it hurts.” Pawlenty said he will never be at the point “where I’ll say that every domestic relationship is the same as traditional marriage.”

Minnesota Capitol. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

House committee votes down domestic partner benefits

By Andy Birkey | 04.28.11 | 9:31 am

Rep. Ryan Winkler offered an amendment in the Government Operations and Elections Commmittee on Wednesday that would have allowed local governments to offer domestic partner benefits to same-sex couples, but Republican members opposed the measure. A 1995 court case struck down the ability of local governments to offer domestic partner benefits, and instead communities across the state have enacted domestic partner registries that currently cover 1 million Minnesota residents.

Legislators push for domestic partner benefits for state employees

By Andy Birkey | 04.12.11 | 8:18 am

A slate of 35 DFLers introduced legislation on Monday that would allow state employment contracts to include benefits for same-sex domestic partners. The bill aims to restore benefits that were offered during the administration of Gov. Jesse Ventura but repealed under pressure from Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Republican legislators in 2003.

Rochester considers domestic partner registry

By Andy Birkey | 07.07.10 | 8:02 am

Rochester is considering an ordinance that would allow same-sex partners to register their domestic partnership with the city. Mayor Ardell Brede proposed the measure, which among other things would allow for hospital visitation for same-sex couples in “Med City.” The…

St. Paul passes domestic partner registry

By Andy Birkey | 07.23.09 | 8:19 am

Yesterday, St. Paul became the third municipality in Minnesota to offer a domestic partnership registry. No citizens testified against the measure, and the city council unanimously approved the registry Wednesday afternoon. Mayor Chris Coleman signed the ordinance into law…

Small steps made for LGBT equality this session

By Andy Birkey | 05.20.09 | 4:52 pm

LGBT rights activists have reason to celebrate this legislative session as steps — albeit baby ones — were made in the area of LGBT equality. While the majority of more than a dozen bills failed to even make it out of legislative committee, a few found their way to Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s desk, with one bill becoming law.

Duluth OKs domestic partner registry

By Andy Birkey | 05.12.09 | 5:00 am

Same-sex couples residing in Duluth will find it easier to prove their domestic partner status as the Duluth City Council voted on Monday evening to approve a domestic partner registry.

Pawlenty opposes plan for same-sex partner benefits

By Andy Birkey | 05.05.09 | 11:00 am

In a letter to Sen. Don Betzhold, DFL-Fridley, and Rep. Phyllis Kahn, DFL-Minneapolis, Gov. Tim Pawlenty said he wouldn’t sign a bill that contained health benefits…

Duluth to consider domestic partner registry

By Andy Birkey | 04.21.09 | 9:39 am

jeffanderson0421_150px Gay Duluth city council member Jeff Anderson is introducing an ordinance that would create a domestic partner registry this year. The registry would allow employers who wish to offer same-sex partner…

Domestic partner benefits advance in House

By Andy Birkey | 03.24.09 | 11:35 am

Legislation that would pave the way for domestic partner benefits for state employees passed a key committee last week. Currently, gay and lesbian state employees are barred from providing state employee benefits for their families, a discrepancy that advocates say puts state government and state colleges and universities at a competitive disadvantage. The bill, HF 1219, passed the House Health Care and Human Services Policy and Oversight Committee by a voice vote.