5/23/2011

WASHINGTON– Today, the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, chastised the Minnesota Senate for reportedly ignoring Minnesotans who sent messages expressing their anger and disappointment following a move by the legislature to place an anti-marriage amendment on the 2012 ballot.

“The actions by some in the Minnesota Senate to place this abhorrent measure on the 2012 ballot and divide the state for political reasons was bad enough,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese.  “News today that the Secretary of the Senate is taking pro-active steps to block constituent messages to legislators, or possibly even deleting those messages, is absolutely unconscionable.”

HRC sent an action alert to its entire list of members and supporters in the state on Sunday asking them to send a message of anger and disappointment to those legislators who voted in favor of the measure.  The Secretary of the Senate is reporting that some 230,000 messages have been received since yesterday.

“HRC has been an active partner in fighting for equality in Minnesota since they were founded in the state in the early 1980’s,” said Sen. Scott Dibble.  “The fact that so many members took action, along with thousands of others in our great state, is a testament to our resolve and determination to fight back against this amendment, and show up at the polls in record numbers in November 2012.”

HRC has been working closely with OutFront Minnesota, Project 515, supportive legislators, labor and other progressive organizations in the state to oppose this measure in the legislature.  Together, the group has been planning a winning campaign to defeat this amendment with the newly formed coalition, Minnesotans United for All Families – www.minnesotansunitedforallfamilies.org.

Currently, 29 states have constitutional amendments prohibiting marriage for same-sex couples. However, a recent Star-Tribune poll showed the majority of Minnesota residents oppose the amendment.

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.