Minnesota true marriage amendment moves forward
Image via Wikipedia A constitutional amendment that would enshrine the definition of marriage as the union of a man and a woman in Minnesota is one step closer to getting on the ballot. The House Rules Committee narrowly approved the measure Wednesday in a 13 – 12 vote. The vote took place along party lines, with Republicans in favor, and Democrats against. However, one Republican, Rep. Tim Kelly (R-Red Wing), joined Democrats to oppose the amendment. Although same-sex “marriage” is already illegal under Minnesota statutes, proponents of the constitutional amendment believe that it is necessary to prevent either the judiciary or the legislature from changing the definition of marriage. Minnesota Public Radio reports that Rep. Steve Gottwalt (R-St. Cloud), the amendment’s House sponsor, told the committee that the amendment was not about taking away rights, but about anchoring more firmly existing law defining marriage. “This is current state law. The desire is simply to