Bachmann Pushes for Anti-Marriage Equality Amendments

Seeking to solidify her reputation among social conservatives, Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota continues to push her anti-marriage equality agenda in what is likely a prelude to a 2012 presidential run.

Speaking Friday at the Faith and Freedom Coalition Conference in Washington, D.C., Bachmann commended the Minnesota state legislature's recent move to allow voters to decide on a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage in 2012 -- and encouraged other states to follow suit.

"This is the time," Bachmann said of anti-marriage equality amendments. "And so I want to encourage all of you at home, if you don't have a similar amendment, consider this in your home states. I believe this is the time to do it."

Chair of the Congressional Tea Party Caucus, Bachmann has used the issue of gay marriage -- specifically the Obama administration's February announcement that it would no longer defend the Defense of Marriage Act -- as a list-building and fund-raising tool.

In a statement last month to The Advocate, Minnesota senator Al Franken condemned the state's anti-gay marriage ballot measure and said it "would do nothing more than write discrimination into our state's constitution and add to the barriers same-sex couples already face to the full recognition of their families."

"I'm hopeful that common sense and compassion will prevail and that this amendment will be defeated," Franken said.

Bachmann's remarks, via Think Progress LGBT: