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Health & Fitness

Why I'm Voting NO

Engage in conversation with a gay person before you vote on the marriage amendment

Fortunately for me, voting NO to the marriage amendment on Tuesday is not something I’ve had to struggle with.  It’s an easy decision for me. It’s supported by my own personal view of God, by my faith community, by my conscience, my heart, and my life experience.

So I truly can’t imagine the anguish of individuals who are struggling about their vote because their faith community or close friends or relatives have the opposite view.  I can empathize with their struggle, but can’t know the depth of their angst.

Gay marriage doesn’t threaten society, my community or its children, or my own marriage. I have a gay brother, a gay friend of 45 years, gay co-workers and gay members of my church. These are people I care deeply about and I hope that someday, if they wish, they will be able to marry. That said, gay marriage is already illegal in MN. The amendment will not change that, but it will stop the conversation on this issue from continuing and that would be unfortunate.   

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MN United for All Families has done a great job of engaging people around the state in conversation.  And it is conversation, personal connection and personal stories that provide insight and understanding to change hearts and minds. I encourage all voters to have a face-to-face conversation with someone in their life who is gay before deciding on how to vote on this amendment.  Ask a gay co-worker or friend or relative or neighbor how they feel about this amendment, about what it means to them and their lives.

I hope Minnesota will be the first state to loudly and proudly say NO to this amendment.

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