Minnesotans on Defensive Over Anti–Gay Marriage Initiative

With nine months before Minnesota voters weigh in on a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, LGBT leaders and equality-minded politicians are preparing a defense.

The St. Paul City Council passed a resolution Wednesday opposing the ballot initiative. Six of the seven council members sponsored the resolution, leading to easy passage. One member abstained from voting, saying, "It's not my issue."

Meanwhile, a recent court decision will allow a marriage equality lawsuit to move forward. The case, brought by three LGBT couples wanting to marry in the state, may embolden conservatives pushing for a voter-approved ban.

"Proponents of Minnesota's marriage-discrimination amendment have already seized on the court's ruling to reiterate their talking point that the amendment is necessary to rein in so-called 'activist judges,'" Phil Duran, legal director for Minnesota's OutFront group, tells The Advocate. "The Court of Appeals decision, itself, is far from 'activist,' and amendment supporters, frankly, can be counted on to trot that idea out no matter what happens with this case. At the end of the day, the leaders of that campaign will likely rely largely on illogic, misrepresentations, and outright fabrications in an attempt to steamroll Minnesotans into voting for their proposal anyway, and this decision will probably have little impact on that overall game plan."

Duran has said his organization is focusing on defeating the amendment, because if voters approve it, it will render the case moot.