HOPKINS, Minn. - On the quiet streets of Hopkins opinions are very loud. Lawn signs opposing the marriage amendment are everywhere. But in between the "no's" is a "yes" in front of Jim Mandler's house.
"I thought great finally I have a vote yes sign in the midst of all these vote no," Mandler said.
Right across the street is Julie Cooney. Her family put up a "no" sign.
"It's not fair for us to say who should get married and who shouldn't when that could be their dreams come true," Cooney said.
Across city lines in Edina neighbors are also facing off.
"Love is love and that people should be able to marry who they want to marry," Pamela Diedrich, who proudly displayed a "Vote No" sign, said.
Her neighbor Mary Malberg disagrees. She posted a "yes" sign a few weeks ago.
"I am not against gays but I am against them getting married," Malberg said.
Minnesota for Marriage spokesperson Chuck Darrell said they have distributed 40,000 signs. Meanwhile, Minnesotans United for all Families said they have distributed 35,000. Though neighbors have declared their opinions with a sign many say talking about the issue is still a challenge.
"I think it's just really hard to talk to people about this and you don't want to offend them because you continue to live with them," Diedrich said.
Malberg said one neighbor drove up to thank her for putting up her sign. But one wasn't too happy.
"She says 'why do you have those signs up?' And I said because I don't believe in gay marriage. (She asked) well why don't you like gays? (I) said of course I like gays," Malberg said.
Back in Hopkins Mandler and Cooney said there are no hard feelings just different beliefs.
"I think that people understand that everybody has a right to their perspective and they have a right and think that's great," Mandler said.
"We're just trying to be respectful and if we're going to have a sign out, they can have a sign out...and we're not going to argue with them. It's more just if you want to say that that's fine," Cooney said.
Though the issue has divided the state these neighbors say they won't let it divide them.
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