2009 has passed us. The LGBT Community in Minnesota had an almost perfect year when the Minnesota Legislature unanimously passed the Safe-Schools Bill, only to be vetoed by Gov. Tim Pawlenty.
On a national level the Matthew Shepherds Hate Crimes Bill was signed into law by President Barack Obama in October. However, this is only one major national victory for the LGBT Community. The State of Maine’s Legislature passed marriage equality and lost it again in the November 2009 election. New York voted down marriage equality and just this past Thursday so did New Jersey. Marriage equality was passed in our Nation’s Capitol. Yet, Minnesota’s Michele Bachmann’s signature is on a Court Brief to ask the Washington D.C’s electoral committee place it on a Ballot for 2010’s election.
Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is still in place, and so is DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act).
2010 is a very important election year this is a mid-term election year. Many people do not take part in mid-term election years. Mid-term elections are very important in the advancement of LGBT rights. This year Minnesota has 11 DFL Candidates for Governor, all of whom say that marriage equality in Minnesota has to happen. They need the support of the LGBT Community to get elected.
The Caucuses will take place on February 2, 2010. Minnesota’s LGBT community needs to attend the caucuses and get involved to help be sure that LGBT people’s voices are still heard during this mid-term election year. Outfront Minnesota will hold a Caucus Training meeting at Sabathani Community Center-310 East 38th Street in Minneapolis on January 14th, at 6:00pm to 7:30pm. Please email [email protected] to RSVP. There will two Caucus Training sessions at the Minnesota AIDS Project on 1400 Park Ave S. in Minneapolis. One session will be from 12-1pm and the other will be 6-7pm on January 21st. If you wish to attend either of these sessions please email [email protected].
Get involved in the election process. Help continue the changing climate for LGBT people here in Minnesota and throughout our nation. Let our State Legislators and Federal Legislators know that LGBT equality is important to Minnesotan’s. Make your voice and your vote heard during the mid-term elections of 2010.