Minnesota Independent

DFLers offer bill to repeal state Defense of Marriage Act

By Andy Birkey | 05.16.11 | 9:00 am

Minnesota Democrats introduced a bill on Monday that would repeal the state’s Defense of Marriage Act, which prohibits same-sex couples from benefiting from the rights and responsibilities of marriage. The bill, the Marriage and Family Protection Act, was offered just as heated debate at the Capitol continues over a proposed constitutional amendment that would write a ban on gay marriage into the state constitution.

Marriage equality bill still alive in Legislature

By Andy Birkey | 01.18.10 | 1:16 pm

The Marriage and Family Protection Act is still alive in the Minnesota Legislature, but Rep. Phyllis Kahn, DFL-Minneapolis, the bill’s chief author in the House, says it’s unlikely it’ll make it far this session. But with same-sex marriage legal in Iowa and domestic partnerships protected in Wisconsin, pressure is building in the DFL controlled Legislature to deliver some relationship rights for the key LGBT constituency.

Gay Republican responds to criticism: Same-sex marriage is a ‘pointless issue’

By Andy Birkey | 02.19.09 | 11:33 pm

The office of state Sen. Paul Koering, a gay Republican representing a district near Brainerd, Minn., is responding by e-mail to criticisms over his decision not to vote for the Marriage and Family Protection Act, a bill that would make gay marriage legal in Minnesota. The gist? Legislators can’t “waste their time” with “pointless legislation.”

Marriage Equality bill likely to drop Thursday

By Andy Birkey | 01.14.09 | 5:30 pm

The much anticipated Marriage and Family Protection Act is likely to be submitted in the Minnesota Senate Thursday morning, bill proponents say. The act would make Minnesota statutes related to marriage gender neutral and would open the door for same-sex marriage. Bill supporters are planning a gathering of supporter at the Capitol Thursday morning to mark the occasion and show legislators their support for marriage equality.

Marriage equality will be hot legislative issue in 2009

By Andy Birkey | 01.08.09 | 10:21 am

Same-sex marriage will again be a hot topic in the state Legislature this year, and some new initiatives are sure to create controversy. But for a lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community that has been playing defense against social conservatives for more than a decade, the 2009 legislature will be the friendliest in years, some lawmakers say.