Edina Takes Stance to Support 'Tolerance and Openness'

Shortly before voting to pass a resolution opposing a proposed ban on gay marriage in Minnesota, Mayor Jim Hovland took a moment to thank the city's Human Rights and Relations Commission for making the city "upstanders and not bystanders."

"With the guidance of the [HRRC] we've been at the forefront for the last six to eight years on a lot of important issues," he said. "Now comes this important resolution as well."

The council unanimously passed the resolution, making them one of only a handful of Minnesota municipalities to take a stance on the controversial issue. They joined Duluth, St. Paul, Minneapolis and St. Louis Park as opponents to the proposed constitutional amendment.

Voters will ultimately decide whether the constitutional amendment passes, when they head to polling places on Tuesday, Nov. 6.

Council member Josh Sprague said he was grateful to the city's leadership for helping to bring the resolution forward, saying there is both an economical and ethical component to the issue.

"I think we're doing ourselves a great favor as a city to send the message out to potential businesses, potential residents that we foster a climate of tolerance," Sprague said. "We accept you as you are in this city and we welcome you."

Edina has been at the forefront of gay rights for a number of years, having been the first city in the state to adopt a Domestic Partner Ordinance in 2010. The city reports 15 couples have registered as domestic partners in the two years since.

"If there is a constitutional right to be married, then that right should belong to every citizen together with the governmental rights and benefits that accrue to marriage, without distinction," Hovland said in a release.

The approved resolution reads:

WHEREAS, in 2011 the Minnesota State Legislature voted to include the following question on the election ballot in November 2012: “Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to provide that only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in Minnesota?;” and 

WHEREAS, the proposed amendment would add a new Section 13 to the Minnesota Constitution stating: “Only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in Minnesota;” and

WHEREAS, constitutions historically have been designed and interpreted to protect minorities from the arbitrary imposition of unjust barriers by the majority; and 

WHEREAS, the proposed amendment would be contrary to the purpose of our State Constitution to protect the rights, privileges and freedom of conscience of all citizens by withholding from some individuals and families important legal rights and obligations; and 

WHEREAS, Edina’s commitment to equality for all residents and citizens is shown, in part, by its adoption and implementation of the City of Edina Domestic Partnership Ordinance in June 2010; and 

WHEREAS, a broad coalition of organizations, community and business leaders, faith, labor, progressive and nonpartisan organizations, communities of color; and current and former elected officials have all joined to defeat this amendment.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Edina City Council joins the broad coalition of individuals and organizations stated above in opposing the proposed constitutional amendment entitled, “Recognition of Marriage Solely Between One Man and One Woman,” and urges Edina and Minnesota citizens to vote “NO” on Tuesday, November 6, 2012.

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