Same-sex Marriage

A SurveyUSA/KSTP poll released this week shows a high level of support in Minnesota for the recognition of same-sex couples. Sixty-four percent of respondents said the state should offer same-sex marriage or civil unions. Only 34 percent said same-sex couples should have no legal relationship rights.

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.

Maine Governor John E. Baldacci signed into law on Wednesday a bill that legalizes same-sex marriage in that state. Maine will become the fifth state to legalize same-sex marriage, along with Iowa, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Vermont. It’s the second to do so through a legislative effort as opposed to the courts.

What was intended to be a serious effort to beat back the forces of marriage equality has become a “camp” sensation across the country. The National Organization for Marriage dumped $1.5 million into an ad campaign called the “Gathering Storm,” which is set to air in key states where marriage equality is advancing. But [...]

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 benefits a legal document to work from, much like Minneapolis’.

The religious right has been handed a number of setbacks in recent days, with a unanimous Iowa Supreme Court and the Vermont Legislature legalizing same-sex marriage within days of each other. For this subset of American Christians who have found their power waning, the backlash has been severe. Vermont and Iowa are “evil,” “perverse” and bent on “destroying democracy itself,” religious right leaders say.

The Council of the District of Columbia voted unanimously Tuesday to allow Washington, D.C., to recognize same-sex marriages performed outside the district. The decision comes on the heels of a string of victories for advocates on the issue, as Iowa and Vermont — and even Sweden — have legalized same-sex marriage in recent days.

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.

Openly gay  Iowa state Sen. Matt McCoy says that same-sex marriage is in his state to stay following a unanimous Iowa Supreme Court decision to allow same-sex couples to wed there in 21 days. Religious right leaders immediately vowed to fight the decision with a constitutional amendment as they did with Prop 8, but Iowa [...]

An unprecedented number of bills has been introduced this legislative session that would grant same-sex couples legal status similar to that of married couples. But they have all have died quiet deaths, as leaders say they don’t have the votes to pass then, even out of DFL-dominated committees.