|
By Tom Prichard Most places they wouldn’t have much in common but at the Minnesota state legislature expect the unexpected. That’s the case with the 2007 legislative agenda of OutFront, a homosexual lobby organization.
Their ultimate goal is same sex marriage. But they realize the public and legislators aren’t there yet. (I think many legislators aren’t there because they know the public isn’t there. Well, that’s politics.) So they want to incrementally soften up public opinion by granting marital type status and benefits to homosexual relationships in other areas of the law. If they can gain the benefits and rights traditionally afforded to married couples, whether in the form of same sex domestic partner benefits or civil unions, homosexual activists realize it’s a small step to gain access to the “married” word. Which brings us to fishing licenses. Minnesota law currently grants married couples a discount on fishing licenses; they want to change this to “households” so homosexual partners can also get a discount. They want credit unions to allow a member’s same sex partner to join something, currently limited to married spouses in Minnesota. In Minnesota, co-op proxy voting is limited to the spouses of members. They want the law changed to include other household members. They want same sex partners to be able to file for a wrongful death claim, something currently limited to married spouses or family members. State and local government employee benefits are limited to the employee’s married spouse; they want to change the law to include homosexual partners. Why is marriage granted a special status by the law? Because of the incredible importance marriage plays in our society. The health and well-being of children and individuals is intricately related to the health of marriages and families. For children, their health and well-being is significantly affected by their relationship with their mother and father. Children suffer the most when families break down. Consequently, the state sees these relationships as so important they place legal responsibilities on married couples to care for one another and their children. That isn’t true of other relationships, including homosexual ones. Along with these additional duties the state grants particular rights and benefits not afforded to other people. Of course, many homosexuals (though I must add not all) and their liberal fellow travelers don’t see it that way. Individual autonomy, self satisfaction and society’s affirmation of their choices is what’s important. Which brings us back to fishing licenses, co-ops, wrongful death claims, and domestic partner benefits. Homosexuals activists want to change the laws to meet their desires - even if that means the further weakening and destabilizing the institution of marriage in our society. |
|
Minnesota Family Council / Minnesota Family Institute 2855 Anthony Lane South, Minneapolis MN, 55418-3265 Phone 612.789.8811, FAX 612.789.8858, www.mfc.org |