There is one issue, however, that I cannot stay silent on, and that is the issue of the gay marriage amendment on the ballot this November in Minnesota. The ballot question asks Minnesotans if they want to take an issue in gay marriage (that is already currently not legal in MN) and etch it into our state constitution.
The same issue was brought before Iowans a few years ago, and during that debate this speech by Zach Wahls, who was spoke in Mankato this past weekend, went viral on the Internet and summarizes my feelings pretty well.
Though the issue of marriage equality is often associated with democrats, I don't feel this is a partisan issue as shown by Minnesota State representative John Kriesel (R - Cottage Grove) in the debate leading to the vote to put the constitutional amendment on the ballot.
I have had the great fortune to be married to my beautiful wife for more than four years now. Through that marriage I've met two wonderful same-sex couples on her side of the family. One of those couples is currently raising an adopted son. Just like any other set of parents they work hard to provide for their son, struggle with the challenges of raising a teenager, but glow with pride at his accomplishments.
The only thing that separates their family from the family my wife and I wish to someday have is that they are not given the more than 1,000 rights and protections afforded to married couples under federal law because the person they fell in love with happens to be of the same sex.
Love. Love is what is all comes down to. While same-sex marriage opponents often cite their faith as the reason for voting yes on the amendment, I offer this quote from my wedding ceremony, and was or likely will be in many of yours:
"Three things will last forever--faith, hope, and love--and the greatest of these
is love"
1 Corinthians 13:13
Please Vote No on November 6th.
Nicely stated, Mr. Belson.
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