Commentary: Will Complacency Win NOM/MFC/MCC and the Mormons A Marriage Amendment Victory in Minnesota?

By Philip Lowe. I am very concerned about what Minnesota will look like after the 2012 Elections. Should the Minnesota anti-equality majority legislature achieve their goal of placing a constitutional amendment to ban marriage equality for LGBT people on the ballot in 2012 what will happen? No one can answer that question with some certainty. Who knows what the future holds?

Here are some points that I think those concerned about LGBT equality in Minnesota might want to consider.

In January the Minnesota Family Council through a program called Ignite. Ignite proposed raising $4.7 million to get a marriage amendment on the ballot in 2012 and passed. We have no idea exactly how much money will come through NOM, the Mormons and the Minnesota Catholic Conference. Given the unlimited amounts of money individuals and corporations can now spend on elections, you can bet the anti-equality money will be in the billions.

I would also call attention to the reality that the same day President Obama was elected was the day that Proposition 8 in California passed. Who would have ever thought that a constitutional amendment banning marriage equality would pass in a state like California? The huge LGBT communities in San Fransisco, Los Angeles, Palm Springs, San Diego and else where. The place where the late Harvey Milk led a campaign to defeat proposition 6. How was it possible?

The National Organization for Marriage, the Catholic church, the Mormons, Concerned Women for America etc. And a fear campaign based on blatant ignorance of LGBT people and our issues.

I place these issues as part of my commentary because as we have been leading up to the moments when our Minnesota Legislature would debate and possibly pass a constitutional amendment, the one comment I keep hearing in my conversations with people is: “The voters of Minnesota will never pass an amendment like that.” I truly hope they are correct. But do we dare risk that possibility that we could be wrong about that?

My one concern for Minnesota’s LGBT community in the campaign to vote this amendment down is complacency. The thinking that because we are in Minnesota the amendment is sure to lose. That to me is dangerous thinking. And an almost guarantee that NOM, MFC, MCC and the Mormons just might win.

In 2009 the marriage amendment in Maine was on the edge of failure. Until, NOM and other anti-LGBT equality organizations went into the far north part of Maine with a fear campaign, telling people that LGBT people want to get married so we can go after children. As ridiculous and as false as the arguments were, they still won. Even with all the court filings against NOM for bad campaign financing, the amendment is still law in Maine.

I hope that will not be Minnesota’s story too.

However, I do suggest that Minnesota’s citizens who believe in equality and fairness for LGBT people not be complacent and just take our voting record for granted. Recent reports of Bemidji, Minnesota suggests that LGBT issues there have gone back to the 1970′s. We have many areas in Minnesota with very small LGBT populations. Conservative religious groups are active in many places throughout the State. Even without religious groups, there are still many socially conservative thinking people in those Out of State areas. We have our work cut out for us.

To win this campaign we are going to need everyone’s help. No amount of help will be too small. Whether you help through letters to the editors of newspapers, or help Outfront Minnesota, Project 515, or Marriage Equality Minnesota with money or time, everyone’s vigilance and input will be of the utmost importance.

Let no one say that there is nothing we can do to stop this amendment.

Let no one assume that the voters in out of State Minnesota will read all the commentaries as good as they are and will surely vote no on a marriage amendment ballot question.

The proponents of this amendment have called out the pink elephant in the room that no one is suppose to look at: “vote on marriage.” How are we going to frame our movement to help that movable middle understand that their vote in favor of this amendment means discrimination towards a minority group of people? I do hope complacency is not our answer.

Richfield City Council Passes Domestic Partner Registry

Domestic partners in the City of Richfield have been recognized with the City Council’s vote of 3-2 to pass the domestic partner registry ordinance. The City Council also voted unanimously to include and amendment that allows domestic partners who work in the city to get bereavement time.

The vote was taken at the meeting on February 8th.

The work towards the domestic partner registry ordinance began when I, Philip Lowe, Jr asked Mayor Debbie Goettel and City Council Member Sue Sandahl if they would be interested in considering a domestic partner registry at the precinct caucus on Feb. 2, 2010. After they both answered yes, I contacted Molly Darsow, the Chair of the Richfield Human Rights Commission.

After an educational information session with Phil Duran from Outfront Minnesota at the regular monthly meeting of the Human Rights Commission in May 2010 it was decided to proceed with the registry.

After an introduction to the City Council at a meeting in September it was decided to have a community forum.

The community forum took place on September 22 at the Woodlake Nature Center. The forum was very well attended and Richfield residents left with a good understanding about what the ordinance would not do, and what it would do.

A first reading of the domestic partner registry was done at the City Council meeting January 25, 2011. Mayor Debbie, Sue Sandahl, and Pat Elliot voted in favor of moving forward with a second reading at the meeting on Feb 8. City Council members Tom Fitzpatrick and Fred Wroge voted no.

Explaining his vote on January 25 and February 8 Fitzpatrick said:

“I realize the registration is important to these folks,” he said, but wondered if the city was “passing an ordinance just to pass an ordinance.” He suggested the city would be better served by the council passing a resolution in support of domestic partnerships, and forwarding it to House Rep. Linda Slocum for consideration at the state legislature.

Councilmember Fred Wroge was also opposed to the ordinance. He made several calls as part of his research of the topic, calling neighboring city officials and hospital representatives about the effect of a similar ordinance. Wroge found little benefit to a city ordinance and doubted the city’s support of domestic partnership will have much affect upon private businesses and their willingness to extend employee benefits to domestic partners. He also took exception to a city code amendment that will grant bereavement leave for city employees to include registered domestic partners.

A domestic partnership registry, which would require payment of an administrative fee, creates busy work for city employees, according to Wroge. He, too, argued that domestic partner benefits should come from the top down. “That’s where it need to be done, at the state level,” he said.

Councilmember Pat Elliott said he cares about what residents of Richfield have asked of the city, not the opinions of those outside of Richfield. His initial opinion was that a domestic partnership registry would merely be symbolic, but after attending a public information meeting about the proposal last fall and hearing the impact domestic partnership recognition by private companies has on the lives of employees, he changed his mind.

“It’s time to move forward and take a stand,” he said. “What other communities do, I don’t care.”

Councilmember Sue Sandahl pointed out that the statewide ban on smoking inside bars and restaurants wasn’t handed down by the state, it started with cities and counties.

Mayor Debbie Goettel was also in favor of a local ordinance as a catalyst for action at the state level.

The council’s approval of bereavement for domestic partners of city employees was also approved unanimously The benefit will be extended to general services and management employees of the city, but will have to be negotiated as part of future labor contracts with unions, according to City Manager Steve Devich. He expects the provision will be extended to union employees in future negotiations.

Diversity can be understood as counting people. Inclusion means people count. The vote to pass the domestic partner registry ordinance means that domestic partners can be counted and that we can also count.

Lastly, on January 25, I was appointed to the Richfield Human Rights Commission where we will be talking about more advances for equality for all who live in our City.

Commentary: John Marty a Great Candidate for LGBT Equality

Sen. John Marty speaks with people at Duluth LGBT Pride

I am an alternate delegate for SD 63 for John Marty because of his support for LGBT equality.  My commentary here is why I am supporting John Marty’s campaign for governor and why I think the LGBT community will make a big mistake if we do not get behind this incredible candidate.

When I heard about all the great DFL Candidates for Governor I was so excited.  Never have I seen such a large list of some of the best candidates who have supported LGBT equality over the years.  Matt Entenza has spoken at LGBT Lobby Day rallies many times.  Where would the LGBT community in Minneapolis be without the amazing support of Mayor R.T. Rybak?  After all, he got the city’s Domestic Partner Registry passed.  R.T. Rybak makes being out at Twin Cities Pride festivals and parades a priority.  I remember the outstanding support the LGBT community got from Margaret Anderson-Kelliher when Republican Representative Arlon Lindner attempted to remove sexual orientation from the Minnesota Human Rights Act of 1993 in the year 2003.  All of these candidates have demonstrated a great level of support for the LGBT community.  I can see why so many support these men and women.

However, when it comes to a gubernatorial candidate who is out on the road campaigning, there is only one candidate that has dared to write marriage equality on his campaign brochures.  That candidate is John Marty.  There is only one candidate for governor who has actually introduced a marriage equality bill and that is John Marty.  As of this morning there is only one candidate for governor who has a running mate who has also introduced a marriage equality bill.  That candidate is John Marty and his running mate Patricia Torres Ray.  There are many candidates who are interested in working for marriage equality in Minnesota, but there is only one who is out about it.  And that is John Marty.

Yet, the silly excuses I am hearing about why people are not going to support John Marty include “he is not electable.” Or “John Marty lost in 1993 and he cannot win in 2010 either.”  In other words, many LGBT and progressive Minnesotans are willing to make a self fulfilling prophecy true, rather than work hard to get a real progressive candidate with the vision for marriage equality elected as Governor of Minnesota.  The LGBT community in Minnesota is making a huge mistake if they do not get their support behind this candidate.   John Marty not only has a vision for getting the Minnesota Health Plan that includes single payer and marriage equality passed, John Marty is already doing these things as a senator.  John Marty already has his vision in the works, producing future expansions for the LGBT community in Minnesota.   So which way is LGBT community in Minnesota going to go?  Vote for candidates who say they are for marriage equality only?  Or will they come together and support a candidate that is already working towards the day of making marriage equality a reality for Minnesota?

I hope many uncommitted LGBT delegates to this years DFL State Convention will join me and the others in supporting John Marty.  It is time the Minnesota LGBT community had a true leader for equality as Governor.  We have the opportunity to support such a candidate.   Let the Minnesota LGBT community stop talking about supporting marriage equality, let’s actually get it done with a gubernatorial candidate that already has marriage equality in motion.

Meet Two Openly Gay Episcopal Priests Received from Other Anti-Gay Traditions

At a beautiful of Reception Liturgy of ordained clergy as Priests into the Episcopal Church, The Rt. Rev. James L. Jelinek of the Diocese of Minnesota received two openly gay men of two different anti-gay traditions. The Eucharistic Liturgy of transfer took place at St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral on January 7th at 7:00pm. Rev. Timothy Hodapp a former Roman Catholic Priest and Rev. Jeffrey S.F. Nelson a former Minister in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America are two openly gay men who have received the blessing of the Episcopal Bishop of Minnesota to exercise the ministry of ordained Priesthood. They have been empowered to proclaim the Gospel and celebrate the Sacraments in the Episcopal Church.

Fr. Hodapp was an ordained Roman Catholic Priest for twelve years from 1985 until he took a leave of absence in 1997, to face the issue of what his sexual orientation would mean for him as a man and Priest.  Fr. Hodapp realized he was gay at an early age and while in high school, really struggled. It wasn’t until Easter of 2006 when he realized how lonely he was—that he wanted to love and be loved and that his needs were not being met by being a busy Priest. When Fr. Hodapp recognized that he was loved by God as a gay man it was then that he began to breathe new air.  Within two years he met his partner Gerard who was also a cradle Catholic. When Pope John Paul II proclaimed that homosexuals are “inherently disordered” Fr. Hodapp and his partner sought a new Christian community where they would b welcomed.  They found that at St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral, an open community full of life with beautiful traditional Liturgy, but acceptance, affirmation and celebration of LGBT people.

Now as an Episcopal Priest, Fr. Hodapp intends to walk with other LGBT individuals to help them know of God’s unconditional and all inclusive love. Fr. Hodapp wants to assist LGBT individuals to see that they are equal to all other children of God and are called to love their neighbors as are all who believe in the Christian Faith

Fr. Jeffrey S. F. Nelson was raised in the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, but served as a faithful Pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America for 20 years. Fr. Nelson was steeped in conservative Lutheranism though this changed once he attended college. He attended Valparaiso University where he was opened to more progressive theology. Fr. Nelson studied under influences such as Rabbi Joseph Edelheit, as well as studied in the University’s International Study Center in Cambridge England. He later studied at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis , Missouri . Though Fr. Nelson was aware of his homosexual orientation early on, it was not until he attended The Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago that he began to confront his gay sexuality. Yet, because of his conservative theological heritage he began living a life of strained heterosexuality. Though he still experienced loneliness and isolation, he wanted to live out that unwritten rule that the Lutheran Pastor was to be married to a woman.

Fr. Nelson continued to struggle with being a gay Christian man. During his time at  LSTC  Fr. Nelson began studying subjects such as feminist and liberation theology.  Fr. Nelson continued to struggle with his calling to ministry and being his true self.

It wasn’t until he was ordained and served in his first church as an Associate Pastor in Kearney, Nebraska a conservative mid-western city, that he met and married a woman. Fr. Nelson continued to try to live as a Lutheran minister in a heterosexual marriage. Yet, the reality of his being attracted to men never quite let him alone. It wasn’t until he worked at Augsburg Fortress, Publishers when his homosexuality finally caught up with him. Fr. Nelson finally came out and needed to face the reality that he could be a happy gay man and a Christian, but his marriage could not continue.

After coming out and facing the reality of who he is, Fr. Nelson after searching many houses of worship found a home at St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral.  He was joyfully received into the Episcopal Church surrounded by loving friends on May 12, 2007.

Fr. Timothy Hodapp and Fr. Jeffrey S. F. Nelson now find themselves fully accepted and ordained Episcopal Priests. They both look forward to many years of successful ministry as they will use their experiences and their Faith to inspire others to see their sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression as opportunities to serve others in wonderful ways.

U.S. Senate Confirms Sharon Lubinski as First Openly Gay U.S. Marshall

Openly gay Sharon Lubinski, currently Minneapolis Police Department Assistant Chief, has been confirmed by the United States Senate as U.S. Marshall, the Minneapolis Star Tribune Blog reports. The announcement was made Monday morning by Senator Amy Klobuchar.

“Sharon Lubinksi will be an excellent U.S. Marshal. It was a pleasure to recommend her to the President, and I was honored to vote for her,” Klobuchar said in a statement. “Her mix of experience managing a large, urban police department and working in a rural sheriff’s office makes her uniquely qualified for this position. I know she will make Minnesota proud as she serves in this role.”

According to the Star Tribune:

Lubinkski was formally nominated for the post in October by President Barack Obama and confirmed by the Senate in a flurry of pre-holiday legislative activity last week. U.S. Marshals oversee federal courthouse security, protect witnesses, transport prisoners, and catch federal fugitives.

Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak released a statement as well praising Lubinski and Klobuchar:

“In her 20 years of leadership in Minneapolis , Sharon Lubinski has shown that she possesses a unique blend of toughness, caring and competence,” Mayor Rybak said. “She has been a shining of example of what a Minneapolis police officer — or any police officer — should be. While I am sad to see her leave the Minneapolis Police Department, I am thrilled that she will be sharing her talents with all of Minnesota as our state’s newest U.S. Marshal.

“I thank Senator Amy Klobuchar for wisely recommending Chief Lubinski for the post, and President Obama for nominating her. Minnesotans will be well served as a result of their actions,” Mayor Rybak concluded.