On November 6, voters in Minnesota will vote on the following question, “Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to provide that only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as marriage in Minnesota?”
GLAAD is urging Minnesota residents to vote NO to this harmful and divisive amendment. The amendment would put a permanent ban on recognition of gay and lesbian couples. It goes against the religious conscious of multiple religious groups and denominations that recognize and bless gay and lesbian couples.
Minnesotans Untied for All Families is leading a coalition of over 500 businesses, organizations, faith groups, and civic organizations to defeat the amendment.
To date, over 30 Minnesota-based papers have endorsed voting NO, including the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Winona Daily News, Duluth News Tribune, and the Red Wing Republican Eagle. Even the popular advice web site About.com has endorsed a NO vote.
Prominent advocates of a NO vote include Vikings punter Chris Kluwe, who gained national attention with his witty and outspoken support for marriage equality and opposition to the amendment. Others have included both Minnesota senators, Al Franken and Amy Klobuchar, Governor Mark Dayton, former Governor Jesse Ventura, Ben Jealous, the President of the NAACP, and advocate Zach Wahls. Even one of the chief strategists behind the amendment, Michael Brodkorb, has recently announced that he will be voting NO on November 6.
In addition to a harmful anti-marriage equality amendment, MN is also voting on a repressive voter ID law. As we noted previously, voter ID laws often make it more difficult for transgender people, low income people, the elderly, and students to vote. LGBT advocates are also urging a NO vote on the voter ID law.
As the phrase goes in the state: “Minnesota Nice, Vote NO Twice!” 
How can you help Minnesota?
- Visit GLAAD’s Minnesota Vote Page for up to date information
- Visit and give a last-minute contribution to Minnesotans Untied for All Families
- Visit the Friends and Family Plan to have a conversation with loved ones about voting no. It’s not too late to change someone’s mind
- Encourage others to vote no on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, and other social networking sites. Use the hashtags #VoteNO and #MNUnited
- Add a “VOTE NO” Twibbon to your Facebook and Twitter profile picture
With your help, we can help make Minnesota a more welcoming state for LGBT people. We need every #LGBT and ally voter in Minnesota to exercise their right to vote. Please vote NO and encourage others to vote for equality as well. Polls are incredibly close, and it will come down to whoever shows up at the polls.
We look forward to celebrating a time when LGBT lives are not subject to public referendum. Until that time, we will work for equality.