Minnesota lawmakers introduced a bill on Thursday that would repeal the state’s Defense of Marriage Act and replace all instances of the word “marriage” in Minnesota statutes with “civil union.” In effect, the bill would create civil unions for all Minnesotans, both opposite-sex and same-sex couples, and leave marriage to religious and secular ceremonies.
The bill essentially erases “marriage” from Minnesota statutes:
Wherever the term “marriage,” “marital,” “marry,” or “married” is used in Minnesota 1statute in reference to the rights, obligations, or privileges of a couple under law, the term shall include a civil union contract, or individuals subject to a civil union contract, as established by this chapter. A term subject to this definition must also be interpreted in reference to the context in which it appears, but may not be interpreted to limit or exclude any individual who has entered a valid civil union contract under this chapter.
And would alert the federal government that a “civil union” is the same as “marriage” for legal purposes:
To the extent that the term “marriage” is given legal effect in federal law or the law of another jurisdiction, a Minnesota civil union is the equivalent of a marriage and individuals who have entered into a civil union contract shall be treated as “spouses” or shall be treated as “husband” and “wife” for purposes of application to those laws.
The bill was filed by Rep. Tim Kelly (R-Red Wing), Kim Norton (DFL-Rochester), Andrea Keiffer (R-Woodbury), and Pat Garofalo (R-Farmington).
I’m going to say something profoundly unpopular. For both Dems and Repubs.
This is what I’ve been arguing for, for the better part of 5 years. Take the term “marriage” out of the equation. Give the babies (fundies) their win, and call it a civil union.
I still don’t like that we are focusing on social issues. It was what Republicans where slammed for doing in the last session, and yet now that we have a bill that we personally agree with that is on the plate its OK to focus on social issues. I’ve slammed republicans for being hypocrites. Where they say one thing and do the other. This IMHO smacks of the same thing.
I get. I truly honestly DO get that this NEEDS to get done. Equality is critical to the progress of society and to people’s personal freedoms. But if we are going to slap Repubs down for such behavior we should be doing the same for Dems. (OK this is a bipartisan bill.)
I have a half dozen friends who are unemployed right now who have been looking for work for anywhere from 6 months to 2 years. Some are gay.
As much as I want them to have the right to be married or have an “official” civil union. (Because in their hearts they are married already.)
I want them to have a paying job so they don’t loose their house. Right now we should be focusing on that. Not social issues that are going go cause serious animosity between Repubs and Dems in congress. Creating jobs is a no brainer and something we should all be able to work on.
I want all adult couples to be able to MARRY. Somehow, I feel insulted by this bill…You are going to take away my marriage in state law, just so everyone can have a civil union? Its crackerjack ring language, instead of a diamond.
Does the bill SPECIFICALLY allow same sex couples to form "civil unions?"
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