A letter about the gay marriage amendment

I support gay marriage. Not because I'm gay, but because it's the right, the moral, the American thing to do. I, of course, have always been against the idea of codifying such ugly discrimination in our state constitution, which this ban does. The constitution is meant to enumerate the rights of the people and define the power of the government and the limits thereof. This hateful amendment does the exact opposite.

Despite my opposition the the amendment, I haven't said much up until now. I, myself, have never been interested in marrying and given the sheer volume of disgusting and alarming anti-worker, anti-middle class, anti-poor, anti-gay, anti-minority, anti-education, anti-women, anti-everyone legislation coming from nearly every corner of the federal and states' governments, an anti-gay marriage amendment was not first among the things on which I needed to focus my outrage.

I have had a change of perspective on where I need to place this amendment on my list of priorities. As most of you know, North Minneapolis was hit by a tornado on Sunday afternoon. My block was hit especially hard, but the devastation was wide spread. My home and prgay marriage amendmentoperty were badly damaged by both the wind and by a tree that fell on my house. Despite the outpouring of help and support from friends and family for which I will be forever grateful, it is extremely difficult to deal with the aftermath of a natural disaster by yourself. I have a great neighborhood full of folks who are both helpful and supportive. Currently the northside is a madhouse of city workers, utility companies, contractors, insurance adjusters and a fair share of gawkers. I watch my neighbors with their spouses and children as we navigate this upsetting new reality in which we suddenly find ourselves. How reassuring it must be for them to know that beyond our strong sense of community they also have their families to help pick them up after being knocked down.

Marriage is about being there, in good times and in bad. But it is in the bad times especially when marriage is the most helpful. It's about knowing that the person you're with is committed to helping you and you to helping them in return. It's about knowing you have your best friend and lover to help you get through it; whether it be a flood or tornado, a sick child or a dying relative. Having someone there to offer physical and emotional support, to help with financial or medical hardships and knowing their decisions carry the same importance and legal authority as your own makes all the difference in the world.

I respectfully ask you to please vote NO against the MN Anti-Marriage Amendment.