Gay marriage was the talk of the state this week as both sides of the debate gear up for the November election. Also, Target continues to take a beating and lesbian pastors are welcomed back to the Lutheran church.

B. Kent Larson of Stewartville, Minn., has some interesting words about the Target boycott.

I was dismayed at Target’s recent decision to apologize for its donation toward Tom Emmer’s gubernatorial campaign… I am concerned that same-sex marriage advocates are now entering into a posture of tyranny where if you don’t support their perversion of the God-ordained institution of marriage between male and female, you are labeled “intolerant” and subject to their scrutiny.

Fortunately, the comments are much more fair-minded.

And speaking of Target, new stores planned for San Francisco continue to be held up due to the controversy over the retail giant’s donations to a group supporting anti-gay GOP gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer.

The Edge looks at the growing scandal in the Anoka-Hennepin School District over anti-gay bullying. Also, WCCO did an interview with Tammy Aaberg, mother of Justin Aaberg, who committed suicide in July. Tammy says the anti-LGBT culture in the district is hurting students.

The Human Rights Campaign has organized a political action committee in Minnesota ahead of plans to spend money in the upcoming election, Politics in Minnesota reports.

“Minnesota is one of he states that is poised to recognize same sex couples as married in the coming years, and we think it’s critical that fair-minded Minnesotans are aware of what’s at stake in this election,” Michael Cole, spokesman for the group, told PIM.

On the other side, the National Organization for Marriage says that a victory by DFLer Mark Dayton could mean the legalization of same-sex marriage. “A victory by the Democrats in November in the election of Mark Dayton as Governor may inject life and a sense of opportunity to pass same-sex marriage legislation.”

To back their assertion, the group worked with the Minnesota Family Council on a poll released on Monday that shows a number of voters will switch their vote to Tom Emmer once they know each candidate’s stance on same-sex marriage.

Tom Prichard, president of MFC, at a Capitol press conference, said, “This should serve as a wake-up call to those seeking office that people feel strongly about marriage and any attempt to redefine marriage… will be met with electoral consequences.”

While MFC is ramping up its efforts to get voters to oppose marriage rights for same-sex couples, Minnesota Catholic are planning their own campaign.

Bishop John Quinn of the Winona Diocese hints at what is to come. “The bishops of Minnesota are alarmed by the continuing attacks on the institution of marriage, and we are taking action,” he wrote. So far, the campaign consists of DVDs, but most bishops are keeping tight-lipped about their plans.

On the positive side of the religious spectrum, three lesbians clergy who had been pushed out of the Lutheran church are being invited back in this weekend.

The event will start at 1pm on Saturday at Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, 285 North Dale Street, Saint Paul, Minnesota.

Here’s a snippet from the press release:

Revs. Ruth Frost and Phyllis Zillhart were two of the first three LGBT pastors ordained “extraordinarily” in 1990 in San Francisco because of the then exclusionary policy. Along with Rev. Jeff Johnson, the third pastor, they founded Lutheran Lesbian & Gay Ministries, a predecessor to the current Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries (ELM). For ordaining the three, St. Francis Lutheran and First United Lutheran congregations were expelled from the ELCA.

Rev. Anita Hill was ordained “extraordinarily” in 2001, having been called by St. Paul-Reformation Lutheran Church, St. Paul, Minnesota. Her ordination and ministry are the subject of the documentary film “This Obedience.” For ordaining Rev. Hill, St. Paul-Reformation was censured by the ELCA. Later in 2001, the ELCA began the study of ordination and service by clergy in committed, covenanted same-gender relationships that in August 2009 eliminated the policy that forbad such service. Full circle, she is being received onto the roster at the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, the site of her ordination years ago.

Happening this weekend:

A Cabaret Benefit for Suicide Prevention: A community event honoring GLBT youth and other youth lost to suicide. The event is Saturday at 7pm at First Christian Church, 2201 1st Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN