gay marriage

A new poll by the Star Tribune shows Minnesotans are split on whether the state should amend its Constitution to define marriage as the union of a man and woman.

A handful of Minnesota Republicans will help try to defeat amendment that would ban gay marriage in the state constitution.

Minnesota doesn't permit same-sex couples to marry, but new figures from the Census Bureau shows it has nearly as many married same-sex couples as Iowa, where the unions are legal.

The Independence Party of Minnesota is opposing a 2012 ballot measure that would ban gay marriage in the state constitution. IP Chairman Mark Jenkins says the party will join a coalition working to defeat the constitutional amendment on same-sex marriage because its platform opposes government-imposed values or morality.

Minnesotans will be hearing a lot about same sex marriage over the next several months. Voters will decided whether to write a ban on gay marriage into the state's constitution in November of 2012. Last (Friday) night supporters of marriage equality held a rally in Waite Park.

With New York gearing up for same-sex weddings, the battle lines are forming for the next skirmishes over gay marriage - and the most dramatic could come in Minnesota.

A local activist for same-sex marriage is hosting what he calls a "Marriage Equality Seminar for Conservatives". Denny Smith of St. Cloud has formed the organization "Winning Marriage Equality". The seminar is tonight (Wednesday) from 7:00 until 8:30 p.m. at the St. Cloud Pubic Library.

Minnesota Republican Rep. Michele Bachmann has told social conservatives not to let up as the 2012 election draws closer. The likely presidential candidate spread a message of perseverance to the Faith and Freedom Coalition conference in Washington.

The debate over same-sex marriage is dividing members of the clergy within the United Methodist Church. During their annual conference in St. Cloud, about 40 Minnesota United Methodist clergy have signed a statement saying they would marry any couple who came to them, including same-sex couples.

Gov. Mark Dayton has vetoed the bill that calls for a statewide vote next year on a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage, but acknowledged it's a symbolic move and he can't keep it off the ballot. Last week the Legislature put the marriage amendment on the 2012 general election ballot.