Storms start to move out of Minnesota, continue for western Wisconsin

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

More than 1,000 opponents of a constitutional amendment that would ban same-sex marriage rallied outside the Capitol today.


Speakers included lawmakers, clergy, representatives of labor and immigrant groups, and a graduate of Blaine High School who talked about the bullying he endured for being gay.


Sen. Scott Dibble, DFL-Minneapolis, introduced the governor and thanked him for supporting marriage equality.


"He speaks up on behalf of our kids, establishing an anti-bullying task force and he connects that vision to the greater vision for progress, freedom, opportunity because we are all part of the Minnesota family," Dibble said.


Dayton told the crowd he'd had a dream that Minnesota became the first state to vote down a constitutional amendment against gay rights.


The amendment on the November ballot would define marriage as one man and one woman. Supporters of the constitutional amendment say it would ensure that courts or the Legislature can't legalize same-sex marriage.


Attendee Ashley Rantala, also the founder of Iron Range GLBTA in Hibbing, worries what a divisive campaign will mean for kids growing up gay in places like the Iron Range.


"The commercials are going to get so mean, like the climate. I know some students we've already talked to... I don't know, they're going to hear a lot of negative things, putting us down a lot and I don't want them to internalize that," Rantala said. "That's my worry."

Gallery

OutFront Minnesota Lobby Day of Action

MPR News Primer: Same-sex marriage

Gay-marriage foes sought to split gays and blacks

Dayton rips Republicans over amendments

Video series explores stories behind marriage amendment vote

Minn. GOP embrace of constitutional amendments could backfire

Pope denounces US same-sex marriage proponents

More than 1,000 opponents of a constitutional amendment that would ban same-sex marriage rallied outside the Capitol today.


Crowd rallies at Capitol to oppose marriage amendment

Go Deeper.

Like this?