The coalition is becoming increasingly bipartisan as Republican groups signal their opposition to the amendment.
While state Republicans are spearheading the contentious move to put a constitutional amendment barring same-sex marriage on the ballot next year, not all conservatives are behind them. In recent weeks, a number of conservatives — ranging from small-government and libertarian groups to gay Republicans — have spoken out against codification of marriage laws within the Minnesota Constitution. Some say the amendment is contrary to liberty, while others have taken on social conservative groups such as the Minnesota Family Council.
Sen. Julianne Ortman of Chanhassen earned praise for the Log Cabin Republicans on Friday after she was the lone Republican to vote to table a bill that adds a constitutional ban on gay marriage to the 2012 ballot. The motion to table was brought by Sen. Tom Bakk, DFL-Cook. Ortman had previously spoke in favor of rights for same-sex couples.
The Log Cabin Republicans and GOProud criticized former Gov. Tim Pawlenty for stating that he would reinstate the military’s ban on openly serving gay and lesbian servicemembers. Pawlenty told members of the Family Leader, a group that opposes rights for same-sex couples in Iowa, that if he was elected president in 2012, he would pull funding for the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. He also said he’s unsure if gays and lesbians should be allowed in the military at all.
DFL Rep. Ryan Winkler of Golden Valley sent a letter to Majority Leader Matt Dean on Thursday pressing for a hearing on an amendment that would direct the Minnesota House to pass a budget bill before it can deal with constitutional amendments such as one banning marriage rights for same-sex couples. Republicans had promised to put the deficit ahead of divisive social issues but religious conservatives have already begun a campaign to get them on the ballot.
Republicans wooing voters by expressing support for gay marriage? While at the top of the ticket GOP candidates have avoided social issues at all costs — gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer has dodged such questions at every debate — Minnesota House candidate Brian Gruber has championed gay marriage as an issue of personal freedom. He’s among seven GOP candidates endorsed by the Minnesota chapter of the Log Cabin Republicans, an LGBT group that favors marriage equality.
The Minnesota chapter of the Log Cabin Republicans, an organization dedicated to working within the Republican party to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, responded to reports that…
The Log Cabin Republicans, a national federation of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Republicans, met in St. Paul on Tuesday to endorse the ticket of Sen. John McCain and Gov. Sarah Palin. While acknowledging that McCain isn’t perfect on…
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