Competing signs in marriage amendment debate
FALCON HEIGHTS, Minn. -- The state fairgrounds have been the battle ground for those for and against a constitutional amendment that would ban same sex couples from marriage.
On Monday the Vote No camp upped the ante with a voice on their side that 17-million people first heard back in 2011 when he took his stand in Iowa.
Zach Wahls, then 19-years old, addressed the Iowa House Judiciary Committee in a public hearing about a same sex marriage ban and passionately told his own story. That speech went viral on YouTube in a matter of days and since then he has toured the country speaking on behalf of the children of gay parents.
"This isn't about talking points, this is about my family, and it doesn't get any more personal than that," Wahls said from the fairgrounds on Monday.
Zach was raised by his lesbian mom's and he says his family is as strong and valued as any.
But its kids, raised the way he was, that Minnesota for Marriage the group backing the amendment says is the issue.
"It's proven that children do best when raised by their biological mother and father, that's the position of the campaign," volunteer Rosie Huray said.
Huray says the support for the Vote Yes message at the fair has been huge and that their amendment is for children, not against relationships of same sex couples.
"We are not saying two people can't love each other, that is not what the campaign is about, it's about what is best for children," Huray explained.
If children are the issue Zach Wahls should speak to that better than anyone because he is the issue.
"Honestly there was no place where I was more supported, more loved, and had the values I needed and learned about than when I was at home with my mom's," Wahls said.
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