Minnesota Family Council

As noted here Monday, social conservatives — distracted by concerns over abortion and the House health care reform bill — missed key provisions in the bill that benefit LGBT Americans. One group that apparently overlooked the measures, the Minnesota Family Council, confirms that assessment.

The religious right has long railed against Halloween, condemning its pagan roots and claiming it promotes witchcraft and the occult. This year some groups are embracing the day as a time to reach kids with a pro-life and Christian message, while others use the day to burn “wicked” books and CDs. And one writer for Pat Robertson’s Christian Broadcasting Network warns parents that witches curse Halloween candy.

After hours of debate at the Minneapolis Convention Center, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) voted Friday evening to lift its ban on openly gay and lesbian clergy in committed relationships. Advocates on both sides made passionate pleas, with proponents saying the future of the church depends on a more progressive stance on homosexuality and opponents saying the decision could split the church.

The religious right is ramping up its campaign against health care reform, even joining with the “tea party” movement to encourage conservative Christians to swamp town hall meetings. Minnesota’s religious right leaders say that the health care reform package is against God’s plan for health care and that Christians should go to community forums and “read them the riot act.”

Religious right leaders are celebrating the postponement of an IRS complaint against a Warroad, Minn., pastor alleging he violated tax laws when he twice endorsed Sen. John McCain from his pulpit in 2008.

Advocates and people with disabilities say a bill to strengthen anti-bullying programs in Minnesota’s schools is vital to promoting the safety of disabled students. But Republicans and the religious right are pushing back because it contains protections for gender identity and sexual orientation that amounts to “indoctrination of homosexuality.”

While Minnesotans may say they’re not quite ready to extend full equality to same-sex couples, subtle changes abound as gay Minnesotans travel to Iowa to marry and Lutherans look to relax restrictions on churches who want to be inclusive. And while the religious right is working hard to convince Minnesotans that a proposed Constitutional amendment is needed, a new Star Tribune poll shows support for that option waning.

An Ohio family is suing its local high school after their son, 17-year-old Eric Mohat, took his own life. The family says that the school ignored Eric’s pleas for help as his fellow students ridiculed him with homophobic taunts even though he didn’t identify as gay. But they are not suing for money. Eric’s parents are suing to force the school to institute a comprehensive anti-bullying program, exactly the type of program that faces an upcoming vote in the Minnesota House and Senate.

With same-sex marriage becoming legal just across the southern border, many groups concerned about the issue say its impact will be felt in Minnesota. But while marriage equality advocates hailed the Iowa Supreme Court’s decision, they were quick to note that Minnesotans shouldn’t try a legal challenge of its own.

A bill that would rectify discrimination in Minnesota statutes and allow domestic partners to make end-of-life decisions for each other is being strongly opposed by the Minnesota Family Council. The reason? The measure discriminates against married couples, council President Tom Prichard charged.