Minnesota has become the 12th U.S. State (plus Washington DC) to authorize gay marriage. “What a day for Minnesota!” declared Gov. Mark Dayton as he signed the legislation, and as rainbow flags flapped in the breeze.
And what a day it was. After a 16-year struggle to change the definition of marriage, Minnesota has joined the states that now rank with Sodom. It is now the first state in the Midwest United States to legalize gay marriage by legislative vote. Other recent entrants into the gay marriage ranks along with Minnesota are Rhode Island and Delaware, all three within ten days of each other.
In typical fashion, supporters in the Minnesota Senate blamed God for the sexual orientation of gays “Members, God made gays,” Sen. Ron Latz, a Democrat from a suburb of Minneapolis, said during the Senate’s emotional four-hour debate. “And God made gays capable of loving other people. So who are we to quarrel with God’s intentions?”
The vote follows six months on the heels of an attempt to ban gay marriage in the Minnesota Constitution. Those that led the opposition to the ban quickly turned their effort in support of legalizing same-sex marriage.
“Forcing others to give you your rights will never end well,” said Sen. Dan Hall, a Republican and a pastor. “It won’t give you the recognition you desire.” I want to be on the “right side of eternity,” added Hall.
Republicans are concerned that religious freedom protections in the bill are insufficient. It could force merchants in the wedding industry to accept business from gay couples even if the merchants object to such marriages.
“The legislation being passed today is the end of marriage as we know it in Minnesota,” Lee said. “It’s a transformation from a forward-looking sacrificial institution to one focused on adult desires.”
“Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot… Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.” Luke 17: 28, 30