How a Marriage Discrimination Amendment Would Disrespect Democracy in Minnesota
23 Pages Posted: 23 Dec 2009 Last revised: 22 Dec 2010
Date Written: 2007
Abstract
The proposed marriage discrimination amendment to the Minnesota Constitution is profoundly anti-democratic. It is extremely wide-ranging in its scope, it obliterates the opportunity of the LGBT community to legislatively advance its interests in the area, it falsely assumes characteristics of the state judiciary that do not in fact exist, and it is drafted with language that is particularly hostile to LGBT concerns and democracy in general. It was a triumph for reason and democracy that this amendment was defeated in 2006. It should never be introduced again. In the unfortunate event that it is introduced again, it should be resoundingly defeated.
Keywords: Minnesota law, gay marriage, same sex marriage, civil unions, domestic partnerships, lesbian and gay rights, human rights ordinances
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