MN Senate Approve Prop 8 Copycat Measure 38-27

The Minnesota State Senate has approved a constitutional amendment by a vote of 38-27 that would ban marriage equality, despite the existence of a state statute that already bans the practice. In Minnesota, a constitutional amendment can be put on the ballot after passing the state legislature by a simple majority in one legislative session.

The discriminatory measure has been hotly debated with almost all Democrats opposing the measure and Republicans supporting it, generally with religious-based arguments about "defending marriage." A recent editorial in the state's largest newspaper blasted such thinking in opposition to the legislation and a video of testimony of State Rep. Steve Simon asking "How many more gay people does God have to create before we ask ourselves if he wants them around?" has gone viral.

Republicans won control of both houses and the measure is expected to pass the State House, as well. In the Senate, all but one Democrat opposed the measure and all Republican voted for it. In the House, there are 72 Republicans and 62 Democrats (before the 2010 election there were 47 Republicans and 87 Democrats). Just goes to tell you what Republicans do when they get majority control of legislative bodies.

The question which would be presented to voters if the Senate version of the amendment is approved by the Senate is:

Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to provide that only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in Minnesota?

So, with wording eerily similar to 2008's Proposition 8, in 2012 a NO vote would be needed to preserve the possibility of marriage equality in Minnesota, although marriage equality would be banned by statute in the status quo. A yes vote would insert the language into the constitution and would require another amendment to be  passed by voters to repeal it and enact marriage equality.

Hat/tip to TowleRoad and @xavierla