St. Louis Park Legislator's Gay Rights Speech Becomes a YouTube Hit

Rep. Steve Simon (DFL-District 44A) has gone viral.

A video of the St. Louis Park legislator speaking against a proposed constitutional amendment that would ban gay marriage in the state has racked up nearly 350,000 views on YouTube as of Friday morning. Simon was speaking in the House Civil Law Committee, where Republicans were pushing a plan to put the amendment question on the ballot for the 2012 election. Despite Simon's opposition, the measure passed the committee, 10-7. The bill is now in the House Rules and Legislative Administration Committee.

Simon's speech was marked by the line, "How many more gay people does God have to create before we ask ourselves whether or not God actually wants them around?" Audience members in the committee room began cheering afterward before they were asked to quiet down.

The speech—and in particular, that line—has garnered coverage from USA Today, The Washington Post and a host of local media outlets, including the Star Tribune and Pioneer Press. While this has certainly generated plenty of discussion over the issue of gay marriage, Simon told Minnesota Public Radio that he doubts his comments will keep Republicans from getting the measure onto the ballot. But the legislator added that he hopes his speech sways people to vote against the amendment.

You can watch the video above.