When It Comes to LGBT Rights, Think Global

On Tuesday, May 14, 2013, Minnesota became the 12th state in the Union to legalize same-sex marriage. A few days later, on Friday, May 17, 2013, almost no one in the United States called attention to the fact that it was the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO for short). In fact, no one even made mention that IDAHO was established in 2004 and is celebrated in over 100 countries around the world.

Our fight against homophobia and transphobia is not over in the United States. We still do not have federally recognized same-sex marriage in this country, nor do we have federally mandated non-discrimination against LGBT people. These things matter if you want to live as a free queer person in this country, if you would like to work and live in different parts of the United States to fulfill professional or personal ambitions. These things matter if your partner is not from the United States, as the government still is not giving green cards to people in binational same sex relationships. These things matter if you can't get the same tax breaks as everyone else, and if you can't get your partner's Social Security earnings once they pass away. It definitely matters if you have children.

Also, why is it the case that only one type of relationship will receive legal recognition? What is wrong with domestic partnership and civil unions, for heterosexual people or queer people? In fact, what is wrong with polyamory of any kind? In France, where same sex marriage was legalized the day after IDAHO, the government gives some rights and benefits to couples who choose to live together but not marry, as do most other European countries. In fact, the European Union is doing a better job in providing legal recognition of same-sex couples than the United States--only nine EU countries define marriage as between a man and a woman, as opposed to twenty nine US states against same-sex marriage.

Same-sex marriage does not lead to increased acceptance of gays and lesbians. In between legalization of same-sex marriage in Minnesota and IDAHO, three major gay bashings took place--two in New York City, and one in London, where same-sex marriage was passed in the House of Commons and soon will go up for vote in the House of Lords. The victim of the London gay bashing incident was Christopher Bryant, the editor of Polari magazine.

More than ever, the United States must join with all the member nations of the United Nations committed to combatting homophobia and transphobia. Here is the new video from the UN Human Rights Office, stating some facts, and their support.

Saint Cloud Regional Human Rights Commission's Stand on the Marriage Amendment

The following is the Saint Cloud Regional Human Rights Commission's official stand on the proposed marriage amendment, which would define marriage as a bond between one man and one woman.  This press release will be published in the St. Cloud Times, and has appeared in other venues.

ST. CLOUD AREA REGIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION

March 22, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The St. Cloud Area Regional Human Rights Commission announces its opposition to the proposed Constitutional Amendment against marriage equality in Minnesota.

Consistent with the resolution of the League of Minnesota Human Rights Commissions, passed in May, 2011, local commissioners voted at its December, 2011, meeting to “oppose changing the Minnesota constitution in order to ban the legal recognition of same-sex relationships and unions.”

Cara Ruff, chair of the St. Cloud Area Regional Commission, stated, “Our purpose is to secure for all citizens and visitors equal opportunity, access, inclusion and participation in the affairs of this community.  We agree with the state League of Human Rights Commissions that ‘this legislation, if approved, would have a direct, negative impact on Minnesota’s GLBT community in particular, by denying equal protection of -the law and relegating families headed by or consisting of same-sex couples to a permanent second-class citizenship status’.” 

According to estimates from the Williams Institute of the UCLA School of Law, the city of St. Cloud has approximately 94 same-sex couple households.   The three surrounding counties—Benton, Sherburne, and Stearns—have approximately 223 same-sex households.  (http://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/Census2010Snapshot_Minnesota_v2.pdf)

  “Our role in the community is to promote and protect the human rights of all our residents and to work diligently to prevent discrimination based on a number of characteristics, including sexual orientation,” Ruff stated.  “We believe that the proposed amendment would enshrine discrimination against same-sex couples in our state Constitution on a permanent basis.  As human rights advocates, we believe it is our responsibility to voice our opposition.”

For more information: Cara Ruff (cara@independentlifestyles.org)

                                          Judy Foster (320) 240-6362

Minnesota United: Don't Forget Saint Cloud!

In today's Minneapolis Star Tribune, there was a great article about Minnesotans United for All Families (MN United), and its work to get people across the state to vote "no" on the proposed constitutional amendment that would ban same-sex marriage in Minnesota.  Not once did the reporter mention Saint Cloud, nor did they mention the tireless efforts of the Saint Cloud organizers and all of the residents of Saint Cloud, LGBT and allies, who phone bank and canvas like mad for this issue.  Our Saint Cloud MN United contingent deserves recognition for going the ten extra miles to converse with locals on the issue of same-sex marriage.

Regardless of whether or not the amendment passes or fails, this issue has brought many different groups in Saint Cloud together for a good cause. 

Contact Star Tribune reporter Baird Helgeson and ask him whether or not he thinks Saint Cloud is chopped liver.

If that gets no results, contact the Saint Cloud Times and see if they will give our Saint Cloud chapter of Minnesotans United for All Families a story. 

Prop 8 Ruling Overturned in California

Today the 9th Circuit Court upheld a lower court ruling that overturned California's ban on gay marriage, Proposition 8.  USA Today's "Faith & Reason" section is providing a run down of comments on this event from leaders of different religious groups.

It is no wonder that there are people in Minnesota who want to add an amendment to the Minnesota state constitution that would define marriage as a heterosexual union.  To date, here is the state of same-sex relationships in the United States:

Laws regarding same-sex partnership in the United States

   Same-sex marriage¹

   Unions granting rights similar to marriage^1,2

   Legislation granting limited/enumerated rights¹

   Same-sex marriages performed elsewhere recognized¹

   No specific prohibition or recognition of same-sex marriages or unions

   Statute bans same-sex marriage

   Constitution bans same-sex marriage

   Constitution bans same-sex marriage and other kinds of same-sex unions

¹May include recent laws or court decisions which have created legal recognition of same-sex relationships, but which have not entered into effect yet.
²Same-sex marriage laws in California are complicated; please see the article on Same-sex marriage in California