QUOTE
Minnesota Democrats Add Gay Support To Platform
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
June 12, 2006 - 1:00 pm ET
(Rochester, Minnesota) Minnesota's wing of the Democratic Party - the DFL - overwhelmingly voted to add a plank to the party platform opposing constitutional bans on same-sex marriage.
The party met over the weekend in Rochester. Three-quarters of delegates voted in favor of opposing the amendments.
To add a plank, resolutions needed 60 percent of delegate support.
A proposed federal amendment to ban same-sex marriage failed last week in the Senate but Republicans vowed to keep pressing the issue. (story) Although the measure is dead for this session the House still intends on holding its own vote.
A similar amendment to the Minnesota state constitution died in committee earlier this year. Nevertheless, two "concerned citizens groups" are campaigning to get it reintroduced next year.
The marriage amendment plank was one of 36 added to the platform. DFLers endorsed the repeal of the Patriot Act, which gave federal law enforcers more power after the Sept. 11 attacks. They registered oppositions to new abortion restrictions.
They also said they don't want genetically engineered wild rice in Minnesota and they favor increased spending more money on early childhood education.
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
June 12, 2006 - 1:00 pm ET
(Rochester, Minnesota) Minnesota's wing of the Democratic Party - the DFL - overwhelmingly voted to add a plank to the party platform opposing constitutional bans on same-sex marriage.
The party met over the weekend in Rochester. Three-quarters of delegates voted in favor of opposing the amendments.
To add a plank, resolutions needed 60 percent of delegate support.
A proposed federal amendment to ban same-sex marriage failed last week in the Senate but Republicans vowed to keep pressing the issue. (story) Although the measure is dead for this session the House still intends on holding its own vote.
A similar amendment to the Minnesota state constitution died in committee earlier this year. Nevertheless, two "concerned citizens groups" are campaigning to get it reintroduced next year.
The marriage amendment plank was one of 36 added to the platform. DFLers endorsed the repeal of the Patriot Act, which gave federal law enforcers more power after the Sept. 11 attacks. They registered oppositions to new abortion restrictions.
They also said they don't want genetically engineered wild rice in Minnesota and they favor increased spending more money on early childhood education.