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VOTE NO. Don’t limit the freedom to marry in Minnesota.

Mayor Shep Harris acknowledged the Minnesota Chapter of LCR for our letter of support for the resolution and for attending the meeting. He thanked us for providing a viewpoint that made him feel more comfortable about his vote. 

Council member Mike Freiberg, who proposed the resolution, gave a speech in which he acknowledged that the council members are sworn to uphold the constitution, but above all, they are a body that must stand by what is right, and that includes accepting all of their citizens and supporting their freedoms. Council member Freiberg echoed Mayor Harris by pointing out that Golden Valley has the largest GLBT population for a city that size in the state and that the council should support all families. Council member Dede Scanlon abstained from voting and made it a point to say the council should not take a position.

The letter of support presented to the council is below:

We are writing to you to ask your support of a resolution placed before the Golden Valley City Council, opposing the MN constitutional Marriage Amendment banning same sex marriage. Log Cabin Republicans of Minnesota is comprised of Republicans who support the equal treatment for gays and lesbians, and works to build bridges and coalitions between the Party and GLBT conservatives.

We understand that on Tuesday May 1, 2012, the Golden Valley City Council may take a position against the so-called Minnesota Marriage Amendment that will be on the General Election Ballot in November.  We applaud your support because, as Republicans, we think that the Amendment is a hurtful and harmful misuse of the Minnesota Constitution.

As conservatives we advocate for individual responsibility and freedom and a smaller government, which allows for people to make their own personal choices and maintain more control over their own lives.  We believe that the best social welfare program is a strong and supportive family structure.  We do not support an Amendment that says that some people will not be allowed to form a family, or that their family will not be deemed valid by the State.  This would be hypocritical, unfair, and cruel.  A position of banning same sex marriage is counterproductive for society, which has proven to benefit greatly from allowing and encouraging all of its members to make mutual long-term stable commitments.

The history of the previously proposed Defense of Marriage Amendments in MN indicates that its supporters do want to prevent cities from offering domestic partnership status (currently offered in Golden Valley) and domestic partner benefits to its employees who are in same sex relationships.  Previous versions of the Amendment have explicitly forbid any “legal equivalents” to marriage, such as domestic partnerships and civil unions.  We believe that the supporters of this current amendment strategically lowered their objectives to get it passed, and that they will continue to seek bans on domestic unions.  This would ultimately infringe on the right and prerogative of the City of Golden Valley to have the choice to someday provide such benefits to its own employees and manage its own workforce. As a city council, your role is to set policies that encourage a healthy business and work climate, safe neighborhoods, and a welcoming environment for all of your citizens. Some argue that it is not the City’s place to take a stand on this Amendment, but to the contrary, it is the City’s place (and the intent of the State Constitution) to expand and protect rights, privileges, and freedoms for all of its citizens, not to withhold or constrict very important legal rights from some individuals and families.

We hope you will decide to come out against this Amendment.  With the support of fair-minded people, organizations and governments throughout the state, hopefully we will be able to ensure that Minnesota becomes a more tolerant and accepting state that encourages loving commitments for all of its residents.

We thank the council for their time and efforts and for supporting the citizens of their community!

They cover topics like judicial activism, the slippery slope theory (i.e. polygamy), the myth of being able to contractually replicate “marriage”, and the benefits of stabilizing marriage and families for all Minnesotans.

“I think marriage is important…the combination of the cultural norm of marriage plus the legal support we give to marriage is a good thing. They are better off, they are healthier, they are wealthier” said Dale during his interview. He continued “you cannot make the case for gay marriage without making the case for marriage”.

He points out that including same sex couples in marriage is a socially conservative view and idea.

Please listen to the interview by following the link below, and sharing this with people you know.

Davis and Emmer with Dale Carpenter

Thank you Dale for your continued support!

Ken Smoron
LCR MN Chair

February 7th is fast approaching. As many folks are buzzing about the caucuses, the main focus most people have is on the GOP presidential candidate nominee and which one will address the issues that concern them the most as Republicans, conservatives, or whatever political label they choose to identify themselves with. What’s your issue? Government spending? Budget cuts? Preemptive war? Inconsistent foreign policy? Education? Imposing Theocracy?

Whatever your issue(s) may be, it is important to remember that the principles our state party stands for are as important as the ultimate winner of the presidential nomination. It is no secret that our party platform has become burdensome and overloaded with a hodge podge of special interest driven detail that essentially creates a litmus test nearly impossible for someone to pass and even harder to avoid contradiction.

Log Cabin Republicans of Minnesota is a firm believer in strong conservative values, which is why we are supporting the following resolution to Plank 4 and would appreciate your support in presenting this resolution at your caucuses.

Under Strengthening Families and Communities (plank 4)

Here is the text location -

Preamble:

Strengthen our Families and Communities

We recognize the blessings that God has bestowed on this great Nation. We also recognize the sanctity of human life and the central role of the traditional family in our society.
We work to defend those values in order to strengthen our families and communities.

 Plank:

Section 4 – Strengthen our Families and Communities

We recognize the blessings that God has bestowed on this great Nation. We also recognize the sanctity of human life and the central role of the traditional family in our society.
We work to defend those values in order to strengthen our families and communities.

Protect our Families and Children

As Republicans, we believe in the sanctity of human life and marriage, and the central role of the traditional family in our society. In order to protect our families and communities, we need to change laws regarding marriage, divorce, adoption, child support, welfare, taxes and others. Minnesota’s laws governing marriage should be amended to offer a ‘Covenant Marriage’ option, entailing extensive premarital counseling and limits on divorce. Grandparents and other relatives should be the first option when children cannot live with their parents. Racial preference is wrong; in cases of adoption, Minnesota should make it easier and less costly for a traditional married couple to adopt a child of any race. In child custody cases, privileges of the father should be restored to comply with the 14th Amendment.

We support restricting the production, sale and promotion of vulgar and obscene material, especially to children, and believe that pornography-blocking software should be installed on all computers with internet access in publicly financed institutions.

Defend the Definition of Marriage

We believe that marriage is between one man and one woman, and that the U.S. Constitution and the Minnesota constitution should be amended to this effect.
We oppose civil unions or their legal equivalents between same-sex couples and therefore, domestic partner benefits should not be publicly funded.

We feel that burdening the state party platform with terms like “traditional”,  unjustly promotes an idealistic and impractical assumption that the party does not appreciate or respect any family that does not fit within a specific mold. Even the terms “traditional marriage” , “traditional family”, etc have evolved from their original definitions. As Republicans and conservatives, we believe in and support strong families.. period. Neither the Republican party nor the government should be in the business of telling any one of us what our family should look like in order to be valid.

Additionally, we do not feel it is in the best interest of the state party or the government to dictate who should be allowed to wed. Government should not be in the business of mandating and controlling marriage. Its obligation is to enforce contracts between consenting adults. Therefore we support removing language in the platform supporting constitutional bans preventing two consenting adults who wish to legally contract to marry. This should be left up to the individuals, their families, and their churches to decide.  Should future generations in Minnesota decide to allow legal contracts between two same sex consenting adults, the legislature should be capable of adjusting the laws responsibly to accommodate the will of the people without facing constitution restraint. This is not the intent of the state constitution and is not a Republican position.

We appreciate your support as we continue to educate people and improve our party.

Follow-us: Twitter @mnlogcabin   Facebook:  Minnesota Log Cabin Republicans    on the web: www.mnlogcabin.org

Please take the time to listen to the program here LISTEN NOW

Follow us on Twitter, visit us on Facebook, or email us at info@mnlogcabin.org for more information about our organization.

Join Log Cabin Republicans of Minnesota as we celebrate the close of the 2011 Twin Cities Pride month. As proud recipients of the 2011 TC Community Pride award, we are humbled and honored to be a part of this community.

We want to thank you for being a member of Log Cabin Republicans of Minnesota. We also want to extend a warm welcome to those new individuals who volunteered at our booth, sought additional information about us, or inquired about becoming members while attending the 2011 Pride Festival.

As our way of saying thanks to you, we are hosting a cookout on Sunday, July 10, from 1p-5′ish pm at The Towers Condominium Complex located at 17 1st St S, Minneapolis, MN 55401 (corner of First St S and Hennepin Ave). The gathering will be in the Party Room. When you arrive please dial my name Ken Smoron on the keypad to get buzzed in. Or, you may call my cell 612-236-3455 or Michael Hammond at 612-201-7439 and we will be sure to get you in.

This is a casual meet and greet so please come as you are. Feel free to bring any other liberty minded friends who might find us interesting. Know a closeted conservative but they just haven’t realized it yet? Heck, bring them too! We are providing the grilled food AND beverages. Now you can’t beat that in today’s economy!

We will have updates available on DADT, MN Marriage Amendment, memberships, how to get involved in your neighborhood caucuses, participating in elections, and more. We are more than pleased to answer any and all questions you may have.

Please respond to this invite if you are able to make it so we may attempt to have enough food and drinks for everyone.

We can’t wait to see you there.

Ken Smoron
Log Cabin Republicans of Minnesota Board

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Tweet us at mnlogcabin

This is a call to arms. Come to the capitol building and join Log Cabin Republicans of Minnesota to show your support. If you have a knack for lobbying, we could use your talents to assist with members in the House committee. LCR Members will be in the capitol as early as 9am.

Call 612-309-8058 or 612-644-8483 when you arrive and someone can help direct you.

Join us Thursday April 14, 6-8 (?) pm at Keegan’s Irish Pub in Northeast (16 University Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN) for drinks and conversation with fellow MN Log Cabin members and like-minded individuals.

We will meet at the bar by the North side (to the right as you walk in).

Bring ideas and suggestions for future meetings and events. We can chat about our current plans for Pride!

If you have trouble locating us or have questions, email me at the info address in the contact box to the left. Include the Subject: Happy Hour so I know to respond quickly. You may also call or text me at the number provided below.

Also, our national LCR convention in Dallas is fast approaching, April 28-May 1. Feel free to join us if you can. Register using the links at Register.  Members who have paid their membership dues receive a discount on the registration fee! Contact me for details. Our Chairman Mark Knief, board member Mike Hammond and myself will be among those attending. We hope to see you there.

If you need directions, can’t seem to find us once you are there or just have questions, please contact:

Ken Smoron
Log Cabin Republicans of Minnesota
info@mnlogcabin.org
612-236-3455

or Michael Hammond
612-201-7439

The TC Pride festival is just around the corner June 25/26 and we want to start discussions on theme and message.

MN saw a ‘revolution’ in the 2010 elections like none other in 40 yrs. With this sweeping change comes the hope of renewed fiscal responsibility. With this change also comes the very real possibility of other big changes. National Organization for Marriage (NOM) is in full swing with their push for DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act) which requires our attention. We will discuss what we can do to protect our state.

Social hour is from 6:30-7:30 pm and the meeting will start at 7:30 pm.  We will be located in the front dining room (enter through the hall under the stairs)

If you have not done so, please visit our website and renew or start your membership. Or, consider giving a gift to help us continue our journey to educate and advocate for full equality and for an inclusive MN GOP.

http://mnlogcabin.org/contact-us/

If you have questions about the event, need directions, or can’t locate us at the venue, feel free to contact Ken Smoron (612) 236-3455 or Michael Hammond 612-201-7439