Law Banning Gay Marriage Getting Closer in Minnesota

 

A bill that would allow voters to constitutionally ban same sex marriage in 2012 passed a Senate committee Friday on a party line vote.

While gay marriage is already illegal in Minnesota through two state statutes, the bill would put a constitutional amendment defining marriage as between a man and a woman up for a state-wide vote.  Because the bill concerns a vote for a constitutional amendment, it can bypass Gov. Mark Dayton’s desk, who has said he doesn’t support the measure.

Impassioned testimony on both sides of the issue was heard from religious leaders and gay rights activists. 

Sen. Warren Limmer, R-Maple Grove, the chief author of the bill, said the public should have a right to vote on the definition of marriage.

“I can’t imagine anything more unconstitutional than for a small group of legislators, or even a small group of justices” to decide on the issue for the public, Limmer said.

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