Minnesota Independent

Catholic bishops preparing anti-gay marriage campaign in Minnesota

By Andy Birkey | 09.15.10 | 8:10 am

Some of Minnesota’s Catholic bishops are preparing a push against the legalization of same-sex marriage in the final two months of the 2010 campaign season. So far, most Minnesota bishops are not making their plans public, but Bishop John Quinn of the Winona Diocese gave parishioners a glimpse in a recent newsletter. “The bishops of Minnesota are alarmed by the continuing attacks on the institution of marriage, and we are taking action,” he wrote.

Mother of suicide victim speaks out on bullying at Anoka-Hennepin

By Andy Birkey | 09.14.10 | 3:34 pm

Tammy Aaberg, who lost her son Justin to suicide in July, told WCCO that the climate at Anoka-Hennepin School District needed to change. Aaberg says that anti-gay bullying had a hand in Justin’s suicide. Last month the

Minnesota Family Council wants gay marriage at center stage in guv race

By Andy Birkey | 09.13.10 | 12:39 pm

The Minnesota Family Council released poll numbers on Monday that it says shows an advantage for GOP candidate Tom Emmer when the issue of gay marriage is put before voters. Commissioned by the National Organization for Marriage, the poll shows that DFL candidate Mark Dayton has a strong lead over Emmer — 42 percent to 33 percent — until voters learn of each candidates’ position on gay marriage.

HRC to donate $150K to even out Target donation to MN Forward

By Andy Birkey | 09.10.10 | 11:00 am

The Human Rights Campaign pledged Friday to donate $150,000 to political causes in Minnesota to offset a donation by retail giant Target to MN Forward, a political group backing GOP gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer. HRC will be donating $100,000 to…

Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell ruled unconstitutional

By Andy Birkey | 09.10.10 | 6:29 am

The military’s Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy — which bars openly gay men and women from serving in the military — was ruled unconstitutional by a judge in Riverside, Calif., Thursday evening. The suit, brought by the Log Cabin Republicans, argued that the policy violated the First and Fifth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution, and the judge agreed, ordering a permanent injunction against the policy. The Department of Justice has seven days to appeal the ruling.

School advocates say anti-bullying laws needed, Emmer says no

By Andy Birkey | 09.08.10 | 11:21 am

The suicides of three gay students in the state’s largest school district over the past year has brought a new sense of urgency to advocates seeking stronger anti-bullying measures. Among Minnesota’s three major-party gubernatorial candidates, only one says he won’t sign anti-bullying legislation should it reach his desk. The GOP’s Tom Emmer says he’d wouldn’t sign the Safe Schools for All bill, the same measure Gov. Tim Pawlenty vetoed in 2009.

Parents Action League shuts down website, cites intolerance

By Andy Birkey | 08.30.10 | 9:00 am

The Parents Action League, a group of Anoka-Hennepin School District parents opposed to LGBT safety programs in district schools, shut down its website on Friday following…

SPLC report focuses on Bradlee Dean, Tom Emmer and Michele Bachmann

By Andy Birkey | 08.30.10 | 8:17 am

In the fall edition of its Intelligence Report, the Southern Poverty Law Center profiles Bradlee Dean of You Can Run But You Cannot Hide International ministries and his connection to Minnesota Republicans Tom Emmer and Rep. Michele…

Anti-gay group organizes in Anoka-Hennepin schools as community deals with gay suicides

By Andy Birkey | 08.26.10 | 10:43 am

As Minnesota’s largest school district records suicides by three gay students within the last year, a shadowy group called the Parents Action League is working to make sure LGBT issues aren’t discussed in Anoka-Hennepin schools. But the Gay Equity Team, motivated by the parents group, aims to make the district schools safe, healthy and welcoming for gay and lesbian students.

Shepard files campaign complaint against Collett

By Andy Birkey | 08.25.10 | 8:25 am

Candidate Jack Shepard has filed a complaint with the Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board alleging that his opponent in the Aug. 10 Republican primary falsified information about him in her campaign materials. Shepard, a fugitive living in Europe,…