Last Chance: Marriage Amendment Subject of Roseville Human Rights Meeting Today

Editor's Note: The following post was written and submitted by Gary Grefenberg, of the Roseville Human Rights Commission. After reading the post, take Roseville Patch's poll  at the bottom of this article. As of late Wednesday, nearly 40 people had voted in the poll and there were 13 comments posted.

The Roseville Human Rights Commission (HRC) will hold a special meeting  on today (Thursday, May 10)  to take public testimony on the proposed state constitutional amendment to ban same sex marriages in Minnesota and solicit comments on whether the Commission should take a position in the matter.

The meeting is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. at Roseville City Hall, 2660 Civic Center Drive.

The HRC will listen to Roseville residents discuss whether it should pass a resolution similar to the League of Minnesota Human Rights Commission resolution opposing the proposed constitutional amendment. The Roseville HRC plans to consider a resolution at its May 16 meeting.

The Commission will also accept written comments from Roseville residents.  Please submit them in care of Carolyn Curti, staff liaison, at Roseville City Hall, 2660 Civic Center Drive, Roseville, MN 55113, or at Carolyn.curti@ci.roseville.mn.us.

 “We need to hear from Roseville residents,” said Gary Grefenberg, HRC chair, “as to whether this proposed constitutional amendment is important to their families and their community and why.”

At a Human Rights community forum last October, the Commission heard from many residents on that Forum’s topic: the 515 state laws which discriminate against gay and lesbian families in Minnesota, as well as other Roseville residents who were concerned with the implications of reversing these state laws might have on their religious beliefs and practices. 

This week’s public forum will give residents a chance to voice opinions and concerns on the specific ballot amendment which would amend the state constitution to define marriage as only between a man and a woman.

Several Minnesota human rights commissions have taken a public position against the marriage amendment, ranging from Grand Rapids and Falcon Heights to the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. 

A copy of the League of Minnesota Human Rights Commissions model resolution can be obtained from Carolyn Curti, the HRC’s staff liaison, at City Hall or by e-mail at Carolyn.curti@ci.roseville.mn.us.