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Category Archives: Minnesota

Marriage Majority Initiative Launches to Restore a Pro-Marriage House in 2014!

August 2, 2013 – 12:46 pm

Minnesota for Marriage is teaming up with marriage defenders across the state to launch the Marriage Majority Initiative, which will "work to restore a pro-marriage majority in the Minnesota House in 2014 by supporting legislators who withstood immense political pressure in order to cast a vote in defense of traditional marriage and by helping Minnesotans find better representation for themselves in districts where legislators abandoned their constituents in favor of the same-sex 'marriage' lobby."

“The majority of Minnesotans support marriage between one man and one woman, and they deserve a majority of representatives in their government who do as well. The Marriage Majority Initiative will serve as a resource to Minnesotans who want to see a pro-Marriage majority restored in the Minnesota House,” said John Helmberger, Chairman of Minnesota for Marriage and CEO of Minnesota Family Council.

“Minnesotans around the state have been asking ‘what’s next?’ after a group of legislators forced same-sex ‘marriage’ on the state. The Marriage Majority Initiative will help them answer that question by restoring a pro-Marriage majority in their state government. We are blessed to live in a country where The People can choose their representation. And, when their chosen representation fails them, the People have the opportunity to choose new leaders.” -Minnesota for Marriage

If you have friends or family that live in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, pass this along! Minnesotans deserve representatives who will honor their word and defend marriage!

By NOM Staff | Posted in Marriage, Minnesota, Politics, Same Sex Marriage | Comments Off

Rural Minnesotans Speak Out About Their Concerns Over Same-Sex Marriage

August 1, 2013 – 1:17 pm

NPR reports:

Alan Greenblatt/NPR

Most rural counties supported the idea of banning gay marriage by margins of 3-to-2, or even 3-to-1. They were outvoted statewide by the urban centers.

In May, Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton signed a bill allowing gay weddings to go forward. Some parts of the state aren't ready for it.

"Away from the cities, you're going to see a lot of legislators voted out," says Dean Walters, a teacher in Owatonna. "People in rural areas are unhappy."

By NOM Staff | Posted in Marriage, Minnesota, Same Sex Marriage | Comments Off

National Organization for Marriage Renews Pledge to Hold Politicians Accountable for Redefining Marriage in Minnesota and Rhode Island

August 1, 2013 – 10:25 am

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 1, 2013
Contact: Elizabeth Ray or Jen Campbell (703-683-5004)

"We will work tirelessly to hold the politicians accountable for this travesty." — Brian Brown, NOM president —

National Organization for Marriage

Washington, D.C. — With marriage having been redefined and same-sex 'marriages' beginning today in Minnesota and Rhode Island, the National Organization for Marriage (NOM) today reminded state politicians that it will work to hold them accountable to voters come election day. NOM has pledged to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to make sure that voters know who is responsible for redefining marriage.

"This is a sad day in Minnesota and Rhode Island as politicians have allowed a mockery to be made of the institution of marriage, which throughout our history has been our only social institution to bring men and women together for the benefit of any children born of their union," said Brian Brown, NOM's president. "Today Minnesota and Rhode Island embark on a new path that jettisons the interests of children from their state marriage law, and puts people of faith in harm's way for being punished for their beliefs. We will work tirelessly to hold the politicians accountable for this travesty."

Whenever marriage has been redefined, people of faith who believe that marriage is the union of one man and one woman find themselves punished if they act on that belief. Recently, the Minnesota Human Rights Commission issued guidelines making clear that the law has no exceptions for religious or conscience objections for individuals. Rhode Island's marriage law similarly allows for no exceptions for individuals or small businesses.

"It's only a matter of time before people of faith are targeted for punishment by government officials, and cease to enjoy the full rights of citizenship because they believe what their faith teaches them — that marriage can only be between one man and one woman," said Brown. "Based on what has already happened elsewhere, we predict that people of faith will face lawsuits, lose contracts, be denied employment and be forced to stop providing goods and services. Charities will be forced to close."

Virtually no politician in Minnesota or Rhode Island ran on a platform that openly pledged that he or she would redefine marriage if elected to office. Yet, when given the opportunity, they did so. NOM has pledged to spend up to $500,000 in Minnesota and $100,000 in Rhode Island informing voters about the issues.

"When the inevitable consequences happen, we will make sure that voters know who is responsible for them," Brown said. "This issue is far from settled in either of these states."

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To schedule an interview with Brian Brown, President of the National Organization for Marriage, please contact Elizabeth Ray (x130), [email protected], or Jen Campbell (x145), [email protected], at 703-683-5004.

Paid for by The National Organization for Marriage, Brian Brown, president. 2029 K Street NW, Suite 300 Washington, DC 20006, not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. New § 68A.405(1)(f) & (h).

By NOM Staff | Posted in Featured, Minnesota, Press Releases, Rhode Island, Same Sex Marriage | Comments Off

Why Exactly is Betty Crocker Weighing in on Marriage Anyway?

July 30, 2013 – 12:34 pm

General Mills is pushing its marriage redefinition agenda even further, this time using a fictional character to assist. General Mills' culinary "spokeswoman" Betty Crocker decided to take time away from her baking to weigh in on the marriage debate in Minnesota:

If you haven't made the Dump General Mills pledge, please take two minutes to join the 26,000 others who have already done so!

By NOM Staff | Posted in Corporate Ethics, Dump General Mills, Marriage, Minnesota, Same Sex Marriage | Comments Off

MN Makes Clear: Individuals, Businesses, Nonprofits All Face Lawsuits From SSM

July 1, 2013 – 3:00 pm

The Minnesota Department of Human Rights today released rules listing all of the individuals who now face lawsuits for not recognizing redefined marriage -- they include:

The [gay marriage] law does not exempt individuals, businesses, nonprofits, or the secular business activities of religious entities from non-discrimination laws based on religious beliefs regarding same-sex marriage.

Therefore, a business that provides wedding services such as cake decorating, wedding planning or catering services may not deny services to a same-sex couple who is planning a wedding based on their sexual orientation.

To do so would violate protections for sexual orientation laid out in the Minnesota Human Rights Act. The individuals denied services could file a claim with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights against the entity that discriminated against them.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Law, Marriage, Minnesota, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (33)

National Organization for Marriage Condemns Minnesota Legislature for Redefining Marriage

May 13, 2013 – 6:35 pm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 13, 2013
Contact: Elizabeth Ray or Jen Campbell (703-683-5004)

"Make no mistake, this vote will bring the demise of the DFL majority and end the careers of wayward Republicans in the Legislature once voters have their say." — Brian Brown, NOM president —

National Organization for Marriage

Washington, D.C. — The National Organization for Marriage today condemned the Minnesota Legislature for redefining marriage and predicted that the vote will lead to the DFL losing their majority in the 2014 election.

"Just six months ago advocates of redefining marriage said that there was no need for the marriage amendment because Minnesota already had a traditional marriage law on the books. Now, they’ve changed that law and imposed genderless marriage,” said Brian Brown, NOM’s president. “Make no mistake, this vote will bring the demise of the DFL majority and end the
careers of wayward Republicans in the Legislature once voters have their say."

In November 2012, the state narrowly rejected a proposed constitutional amendment to preserve marriage as the union of one man and one woman. Opponents of the amendment argued, among other things, that it was not needed since the state already defined marriage as the union of a man and a woman. Because of their financial advantages (outspending supporters of the amendment by nearly $7 million) they won a narrow victory.

"The people of Minnesota did not vote for gay marriage in 2012,” said Brown. “They voted to maintain traditional marriage by maintaining the status quo. Our opponents bought a victory by claiming that marriage was not under threat of redefinition, but in fact they always intended to redefine it at the soonest possible moment. Legislators who voted to redefine marriage were foolish to do so. They cast a terrible vote that damages society, tells children they don’t deserve a mother and a father, and brands supporters of traditional marriage as bigots. We predict that this vote will be career ending for many legislators in Minnesota."

NOM was the largest funder of the marriage amendment campaign in 2012.

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To schedule an interview with Brian Brown, President of the National Organization for Marriage, please contact Elizabeth Ray (x130), [email protected], or Jennifer Campbell [email protected], at 703-683-5004.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Featured, Minnesota, Press Releases | Comments (84)

National Organization for Marriage Condemns the Redefinition of Marriage in Minnesota, Says Citizens Were Warned

May 9, 2013 – 5:45 pm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 9, 2013
Contact: Elizabeth Ray or Jen Campbell (703-683-5004)

"Minnesota voters should be outraged that they were sold a bill of goods by gay marriage activists last November." — Brian Brown, NOM president —

National Organization for Marriage

Washington, D.C. — Only six months after gay marriage activists promised Minnesotans that there was no threat to marriage in Minnesota, today's passage of a bill to redefine marriage reveals that proponents of last November's failed Marriage Protection Amendment were telling the truth all along.

"Minnesota voters should be outraged that they were sold a bill of goods by gay marriage activists last November," Brian Brown, President of the National Organization for Marriage, commented. "Our opponents filled the airwaves and spent millions claiming marriage was under no threat in Minnesota. And yet they lost no time in pushing for the redefinition of marriage as soon as our marriage protection amendment failed, despite new polling that shows a majority of Minnesotans oppose redefining marriage. We have long argued there is a very grave threat to marriage and today we witnessed our predictions sadly confirmed."

Brown continued: "The recent actions in Minnesota should serve as a wakeup call to other states that have not yet passed Marriage Protection Amendments: if you do not protect marriage proactively in your constitution, the powerful and wealthy gay marriage lobby will target your state for their next campaign to change your laws."

Brown added: "The new legislation in Minnesota will expose pro-marriage Minnesotans to additional legal action and harassment, as we have seen happen time and time again in other states that have redefined marriage."

Brown concluded: "The National Organization for Marriage commends all of the individuals and groups in Minnesota who have worked so hard for so long to protect marriage. This fight is not over. Minnesota will someday, once again, reflect the truth about marriage in its laws, of that we are confident."

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To schedule an interview with Brian Brown, president of the National Organization for Marriage, please contact Elizabeth Ray (x130), [email protected], or Jen Campbell (x145), [email protected], at 703-683-5004.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Featured, Minnesota, Press Releases, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (85)

Calls Pouring into MN Speaker Thiessen's Office - VOTE NO

May 9, 2013 – 11:30 am

Pro-marriage forces are holding an all-day rally and lobbying day in Minnesota to urge their lawmakers to vote no. And they are hitting the phones as well:

"...Opponents remain hopeful that their last-minute push can persuade a crucial few legislators to reject the change, pressing their belief that the DFL-controlled Legislature is going against the wishes of a majority of Minnesotans. They have spent months trying to convince lawmakers that marriage is a sacred union between one man and one woman ordained by God, not any state or even federal law.

“Traditional marriage supporters around the state are extremely upset that the DFL leadership, with same-sex marriage proponents, seem intent on forcing same-sex marriage on Minnesotans who don't want it,” said Autumn Leva, a spokeswoman for Minnesota for Marriage, which is trying to defeat the measure. “They feel betrayed by their legislators.”

In the closing days, same-sex opponents have pounded House Speaker Paul Thissen’s office with calls, at the rate of one a minute. The Minneapolis Democrat said he would not bring up the measure for a vote unless he was certain it would pass.

The debate (which will be livestreamed here) stands to be the most divisive, dramatic and unpredictable at the Capitol this year. Advocates from both sides are expected to jam the Capitol in coming days to let their opinion be known and make sure legislators know they are watching." (Star Tribune)

Have you made your voice heard?

By NOM Staff | Posted in Marriage, Minnesota, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (56)

Minnesota Budget Office: Gay Marriage Will Hurt Minnesota Taxpayers

May 9, 2013 – 11:15 am

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 9, 2013
Contact: Elizabeth Ray or Jen Campbell (703-683-5004)

"Gay marriage activists continually try to push the lie that redefining marriage is an economic stimulus, but this report shows the opposite is true — redefining marriage hurts the economy." — Brian Brown, NOM president —

National Organization for Marriage

Washington, D.C. — Earlier this week, Minnesota Management and Budget predicted that redefining marriage would cost the state over $675,000 a year. This would not be offset by same-sex couples paying for marriage licenses and related expenses. The same report noted that the number of same-sex couples seeking marriage licenses would also dramatically drop off after the first year.

Brian Brown, President of the National Organization for Marriage (http://www.nationformarriage.org/), reacting to this report said: "On top of the incredible social damage caused by redefining marriage, gay marriage will place a significant economic burden on struggling states. Gay marriage activists continually try to push the lie that redefining marriage is an economic stimulus, but this report shows the opposite is true — redefining marriage hurts the economy."

Previous estimates of the number of same-sex couples who will seek marriage licenses have been exaggerated, and the positive economic impact of redefining marriage has been hugely overstated by agenda-driven think tanks such as the Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law. Meanwhile, most of the top 10 states for business have marriage protection amendments (such as North Carolina) while most of the worst top 10 states for business have redefined marriage (such as New York) or are seeking to do so.

Brown continued: "Common sense tells us that strong economies are built on strong families, and marriage protects families and our future by giving children the mother and father they deserve and with whom they do best in life. Lawmakers in Minnesota ought to protect marriage, not redefine it."

Brown concluded: "For the good of children, of spouses, and for the benefit of Minnesota taxpayers, lawmakers should not vote to redefine marriage."

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By NOM Staff | Posted in Featured, Minnesota, Press Releases, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (22)

Minnesota Rep. Stands Strong for Marriage

May 9, 2013 – 10:45 am

The vote on gay marriage is today in Minnesota. Lawmakers are under huge pressure from gay marriage activists. This state representative is standing strong:

"Rep. Denny McNamara, R-Hastings, whose district saw 53 percent of voters reject the constitutional amendment, hasn't changed his mind: He'll vote "no" on Thursday.

"Marriage is marriage," McNamara, who supports civil unions for same-sex couples, said Tuesday. "I've thought about it over and over, and ultimately I'm confident with my decision." (Pioneer Press)

You can send him a note of encouragement here and contact your lawmakers here.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Marriage, Minnesota, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (1)

Minnesota House to Vote on Marriage this Thursday!

May 7, 2013 – 3:30 pm

We've just found out the Minnesota House will be voting this Thursday on a bill to redefine marriage:

The Minnesota House will hold a final floor vote on whether to legalize same-sex marriage Thursday.

...The Senate is expected to take up the measure soon after. DFL Gov. Mark Dayton is a supporter of same-sex marriage and said he will sign the proposal into law.

The vote will come after months of intense lobbying at the Capitol by both sides of the issue. (Star Tribune)

We know that a majority of Minnesotans do not support redefining marriage. If you have not yet contacted your Representative please do so now.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Alerts, Marriage, Minnesota, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (82)

Grassroots Initiate Recall Against Politician Set to Vote Against His Pro-Marriage Constituents

May 7, 2013 – 1:00 pm

Pro-marriage activists in Minnesota are wasting no time responding to a Minnesota lawmaker who says he plans to vote for SSM, despite the fact that over 60% of his district voted to protect marriage last November:

Doug Kern, deputy chair of the Crow Wing County Republican Party, said Monday he is starting a recall petition against Rep. Joe Radinovich, DFL-Crosby, in the wake of the lawmaker’s announcement that he will support gay marriage legislation.

Kern said he started the effort because of Radinovich’s stand on the issue despite last fall’s vote totals on a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage. Even though the measure was defeated statewide, House District 10B voters favored the proposed constitutional amendment, garnering 62.5 percent of the vote.

“He’s supposed to represent the people,” Kern said.

Kern said the vote to legalize gay marriage would threaten religious freedom. He said while legislation has language to protect pastors it doesn’t protect Sunday school teachers and Bible study leaders. (Brainer Dispatch)

Please continue to contact him and other Minnesota lawmakers.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Marriage, Minnesota, Politics, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (10)

Marriage Proponents: Religious Protections a "Big Lie"

May 7, 2013 – 11:00 am

The coalition to protect marriage in Minnesota is making the point that the religious protections being offered are not enough -- redefining marriage always threatens religious freedom:

Same-sex marriage opponents warned Minnesotans that religious liberty will not be protected if the Legislators legalize gay marriage this year.

“In New York, we were promised that the religious freedom amendment to our same-sex marriage legislation would do the job,” said the Rev. Jason McGuire, president of New Yorker’s Family Research Foundation. “Our legislators bought the lie and today every New Yorker is living the lie.”

Minnesota for Marriage brought several town officials from New York, where same-sex marriage is legal, who argue they had to resign rather than be forced to process marriage licenses for gay and lesbian couples even though it was against their religious beliefs. The group says the religious protections in the Minnesota proposal are completely inadequate, leaving business owners and religious groups wide open to lawsuits if they fail to embrace same-sex marriage.

Minnesota for Marriage held the news conference as legislators are weighing a proposal to legalize same-sex marriage this year. Dozens of supporters stuffed into the small conference room, many holding signs that read: “Don’t erase moms and dads from MN public policy.” (Star Tribune)

Please continue to contact your lawmakers.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Marriage, Michigan, Minnesota, Religious Liberty, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (38)

Tell the Legislature to Defend Marriage in Minnesota!

May 1, 2013 – 9:00 am

Dear Marriage Supporter,

As you know, advocates of same-sex marriage often make false promises to the public in order to achieve a political victory. (The latest is the admission by a prominent gay marriage advocate, Judith Stacey, that the entire movement is a lie.)

This is what they did in Minnesota, telling voters during the recent campaign on the Minnesota Marriage Amendment that the amendment wasn't needed because state law already defined marriage as the union of one man and one woman. Once they achieved a narrow political victory on the proposed Marriage Amendment, they immediately launched a legislative effort to redefine marriage.

We need your urgent help to defeat this effort.

Right now marriage is hanging by a thread in Minnesota. Legislative committees are bringing forward bills to redefine marriage (HF 1054/SF 952) and a fierce lobbying effort is underway at the state Capitol in St. Paul.

Click here to send a strong and clear message to your leaders in St. Paul that marriage is not of the State's making, and not the State's to un-make!

Back in October of last year, Kathleen Blatz—a former Chief Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court—penned an editorial in the Pioneer Press arguing against the Minnesota marriage amendment on the grounds that, "a no vote preserves the status-quo."

Well, if voting "no" on the amendment was about preserving the status quo—defining marriage as one man and one woman—then it is profoundly wrong for the Legislature to pass legislation now to redefine marriage in Minnesota.

Click here to send an urgent message to St. Paul today to preserve the status quo and leave marriage in Minnesota as it is currently defined in law, as the union of one man and one woman.

Please make it clear to legislators that voters in Minnesota did not vote FOR same-sex marriage. They narrowly voted against putting the definition of marriage in the state constitution, in large part because they wanted to leave the status quo in place. We cannot let same-sex marriage advocates get away with hijacking the vote of Minnesotans to redefine our core institution of society.

Stand with me today for the rights of the voters of Minnesota, the rights of children to benefit from the love of both a mom and a dad, and the rights of future generations to experience the same institution of marriage that has fostered society's well-being for countless ages!

Stand for marriage, Minnesota!

By Brian Brown | Posted in Alerts, Minnesota, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (15)

Minnesotans Divided over Marriage Redefinition

April 23, 2013 – 3:30 pm

After a contentious battle to defeat a ballot initiative that would have enshrined man-woman marriage in Minnesota State law last November, same-sex marriage activists are now pushing the Minnesota legislature to redefine marriage – even though they claimed repeatedly that this wouldn’t happen!

But the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party-sponsored initiative has very little support in rural areas, where that party might need it most. Minnesota Daily reports:

A Star Tribune poll in February found 38 percent of Minnesotans support the measure.

Autumn Leva, spokeswoman for Minnesota for Marriage, said those percentages decrease further away from the metro area.

The Star Tribune poll found 57 percent of people in Hennepin and Ramsey counties support same-sex marriage while only 19 percent said the same in outstate Minnesota.

Greater Minnesota is “very, very much opposed to the metro area’s attempt to force gay marriage on the rest of the state,” she said.

Read the rest here.