Minnesotans reject ban on gay marriage

If Goodhue County voters had their way, the proposed marriage amendment to the state Constitution would have passed. The county voted 52.51 percent “yes.”

But more than 50 percent is required statewide and the vote was 47 percent.

Minnesotans became the first state to reject a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage.

Since a state law remains on the books, the vote does not automatically allow same-sex weddings. However, with a newly elected Democratic-Farmer-Laborite Legislature and governor, the subject is bound to be debated when lawmakers take office in January.

Thirty other states approved similar proposals when voters were asked. However, opponents to the proposed Minnesota constitutional amendment found money to buck the national trend.

“It’s very, very encouraging. So many people have worked so hard to explain the reasons to vote against it,” said Dan Guida of Red Wing and a member of PFLAG.

“It really does speak to people really listening and voting thoughtfully about what it means to put something like that in the Constitution,” he added.

Joanne Pohl serves on the Red Wing Human Rights Commission. She worked to defeat the amendment for legal reasons.

“Our Constitution is reserved for the protection of basic human and civil liberties,” she said.

The campaign was the most expensive Minnesota constitutional amendment campaign ever. But regardless of the outcome, nothing will change soon.

The battle has been brewing for years, with a May 2011 state Legislature vote to put the proposal on the ballot signaling the real start of the most extensive ballot question campaign in state history. In recent days, polls have shown the gap narrowing and for the first time pro-gay marriage forces appeared to have pulled into a virtual tie.

The amendment needed to receive more than half of all votes cast Tuesday, not just those cast for or against the amendment. That Minnesota requirement makes passing amendments more difficult because many voters skip them, so their votes are counted as “no” votes.

For all the talk about allowing same-sex marriage, Tuesday’s vote had no direct effect on it. A state law remains on the books banning gay marriage, and it would take an act of the Legislature or the courts to change that.

However, legislative amendment supporters, mostly Republicans, said they want the state Constitution amended because that would provide better protection from lawmakers and judges who may want it overturned.

Six states allow gay marriage: Iowa, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, New York and Vermont.

Minnesotans United for All Families, the main group opposing the amendment, collected $11.2 million for its campaign. The primary supporting group, Minnesota for Marriage, reported raising $3.6 million.

Opponents toured the state in recent days and both sides worked the telephones.

Republicans’ party platform includes support of the amendment, while the Democratic-Farmer-Laborite document opposes it.

However, the issue does not break strictly along party lines. Religion plays a big role.

Religious organizations, including the Catholic Church, joined hands in support of the amendment.

Religious leaders backing the amendment say the Bible and other religious teachings make it clear that marriage must be only between a man and a woman.

Opponents contend that love is the overarching concern, as in “love thy neighbor as thyself.”

Supporters also say children need a man and a woman as parents. Opponents say gay partners are left out of vital health and other decisions if same-sex marriage is not allowed.

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