Marriage Debate

Thursday, February 12, 2009 - 4:11 pm

The debate over marriage is back, but this time it's different.  People rallied at the Capitol today in favor of gay marriage.  Bills this session would "make Minnesota's marriage laws gender-neutral."  While the anger and passion isn't the same as a few years ago, there was still an uncomfortable interaction during today's rally.  Sen. Scott Dibble (DFL-Minneapolis) who is also openly gay was addressing the crowd, but he was repeatedly interrupted by a man holding a marriage between a man and a woman sign by yelling "let the people vote."  Dibble had to say "please respect our rally" and he chimed back "respect our right to vote.'  The vote the man was talking about was the effort to define marriage as a union between one man and one woman in a constitutional amendment which was the most controversial issue several years ago at the Capitol.  Today the bill to allow gay marriage has dozens of sponsors.