Letter: A 'no' vote won't change state law

To the Editor:

In response to Wm. David Farrar’s letter Aug. 8, I’d like to clarify what will happen if this amendment does not pass — nothing. If the “marriage amendment” gets voted down, nothing will happen. Lesbians and gays in Minnesota will not be filling the courthouses for marriage licenses, and legal same-sex marriages will not be taking place.

If the amendment should pass, it would be the first amendment to the Minnesota Constitution to negatively impact a minority. If it passes, an amendment would be added that states marriage is to be defined as between one woman and one man.

If it does not pass, no amendment is added. There will not be a new definition of marriage in the state of Minnesota.

Gays and lesbians already do establish family units, and they do procreate, just not in the “traditional” sense. There are many ways a same-sex couple can have children, just as a heterosexual couple can: adoption, fostering, surrogate and insemination.

A child raised by two moms or two dads has never been proven to be at any disadvantage when compared to their counterparts raised by heterosexual parents. And we know the statistics of how many of those heterosexual marriages end in divorce.

My family and I believe in God. We are Christians. Our children attend Sunday school at our church. We are active in our community. To say our family unit is less deserving than someone else’s is hurtful.

Kris Tomanek

Red Wing

Tags: opinion, letters