Politics & Government

Council to Stand Against Marriage Amendment

St. Louis Park will join Duluth, St. Paul and Minneapolis in passing a resolution of opposition.

The St. Louis Park City Council will likely join three other Minnesota cities in issuing a resolution opposing the proposed constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage.

At the suggestion of councilman Jake Spano, the council discussed the issue Monday night, with all six members present showing support. Councilwoman Julia Ross was not at the meeting.

“I don’t believe our state’s constitution exists to take away peoples’ rights,” Spano said.

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“In my mind, this amendment is a hate act,” added councilwoman Sue Santa. “It will have no effect other than being divisive.”

Other council members agreed with the sentiment, adding that such a resolution would be in line with city anti-discrimination policies, as well as the passed last year. That ordinance, while not superseding state law, does allow domestic partners in different-sex and same-sex relationships to register their relationships with the city.

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“We would be the first suburban community in the state to do this,” Spano said of the resolution. “I think this is in keeping with our community’s culture.”

To date, the cities of Duluth, St. Paul and Minneapolis have passed resolutions against the proposed amendment.

The exact language of St. Louis Park's resolution hasn't been drafted, though it will borrow from the language used by the three other cities. The resolution, which will also emphasize the proposed amendment’s potential impact on St. Louis Park residents, will be up for a vote at the council’s next meeting on Monday, March 5.


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