Minnesota and the Marriage Amendment

I've been thinking a lot about marriage lately.  I should clarify-- I'm not getting married any time soon, but with Minnesota voters, including myself, voting on adding an amendment to the state constitution , defining marriage in the biblical sense of one man and one woman, it has been on my mind!

 According to the dictionary, marriage is:

Merriam-Webster:
(1) : the state of being united to a person of the opposite sex as husband or wife in a consensual and contractual relationship recognized by law (2) : the state of being united to a person of the same sex in a relationship like that of a traditional marriage <same-sex marriage>


American Heritage Dictionary:
a. The legal union of a man and woman as husband and wife, and in some jurisdictions, between two persons of the same sex, usually entailing legal obligations of each person to the other.
b. A similar union of more than two people; a polygamous marriage.
c. A union between persons that is recognized by custom or religious tradition as a marriage.
d. A common-law marriage.
e. The state or relationship of two adults who are married: Their marriage has been a happy one.
I recently visited a friend of mine and saw a "Vote Yes" sign in their yard.  I was a bit surprised, but I have to admit, I am frequently surprised whenever I realize that anyone could possibly vote "Yes" on something that would affect the rights of a particular group of people (typically the minority) based on biblical context.

Furthermore, I'm disappointed and saddened.  While we honor those who have fought against past injustices, Martin Luther King Jr. , Elizabeth Cady Stanton, etc., it is a  reminder that as in any case of progress, there is equal opportunity to regress...and when it comes to equality we have a long way to go.

In closing, my hope is that when people vote on the definition of marriage in Minnesota, we think about definition in the sense of Webster and American Heritage and NOT the interpretation of select verses in religious texts. It is my hope that when we vote this fall, we think about moving forward--call it progress.  My hope is that when we vote, we think not only of ourselves and of our beliefs , but about  how voting "Yes" would impact the every day lives of others.  The others we call family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, their families and their children.  It is my hope that everyone votes with an emphatic NO.