The only room not for debate between those who advocate for marriage equality in Minnesota and those who oppose it is that there is always room for debate.
"It is not a short term battle, it is a long term battle so what it looks like in the near term is irrelevant. Marriage is something that cannot be redefined," Minnesota Family Council spokesman Chuck Darrell said today. His organization is strongly opposed to same sex marriage.
OutFront Minnesota, the state's leading GLBT activist organization, hosted dozens of clergy today who support same sex marriage to talk about why.
Executive Director Amy Johnson said OutFront did this to keep the issue fresh, and to recognize that this coming Sunday is National Coming Out Day.
Mandy Carter, an African American activist for civil rights and marriage equality brought with her a message from the community she says, she lives in, and serves.
"Our history as black Americans has taught us that even well intended separate but equal arrangements do not work," Carter said. She is the founder of the National Black Justice Coaltion.
Carter shared a message given to her by Georgia Congressman John Lewis, a long time champion of civil rights, a man who marched alongside Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
"From time to time America comes to a crossroads, with confusion and controversy it is hard to spot at that moment. We are now at such a crossroads over same sex couples freedom to marry. Government exclusion of our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters from civil marriage degrades our families. I have fought too hard, and too long, against discrimination based on race and color to not stand up against discrimination based on sexual orientation."
Minnesota Family Council spokesman Chuck Darrell had this to say to the clergy supporting marriage equality.
"Some clergy have become like employees of an institution rather than being moral leaders of the church. They no longer represent their faith traditions and have swapped them for slogans like, Love Makes A Marriage," Darrell said.
"I examine my motives every day, and in this issue I put my career on the line, it is a matter of deep calling," Darlington responded.
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