Why Marriage?

Right now, not all Minnesotans have the choice to marry the person they love. In our efforts to achieve full equality and safety for all Minnesotans we would like to see those who are in committed relationships receive the security and legal protections of marriage.

Marriage is the ultimate act of publicly declaring one’s love and commitment towards each other and, more importantly, it is about responsibility and having the ability to take care of the one you love emotionally, fiscally, and legally. Marriage adds stability to families and legitimizes their union in the eyes of not only society but their children as well. By denying Marriage to thousands of committed couples across Minnesota, we are actively hurting thousands of Minnesota families and their children.

Denying committed couples and families the opportunity to marry also denies them the access and ability to take care of each other, and ultimately makes these couples and families second class citizens. This is blatant discrimination, which OutFront Minnesota, together with our supporters, is working to end.

We recognize that there are differing opinions throughout the state on this issue, however we believe that as Minnesotans we share the desire to be fair and strengthen families. Supporting marriage equality is supporting strong families and is the fair thing to do.

Facts

• Studies have shown that marriage equality would positively impact local state budget and economies.
  • Economic Impact on Maine
  • Economic Impact on Vermont
• Massachusetts experienced a business boom after enjoying 5 years of marriage equality that brought revenue from wedding-related industries such as ceremonies, florists, and tourism.
• Marriage equality has brought about positive effects on marriages, families and children after 5 years of affording marriage to same-sex couples.
• Civil unions/Domestic Partnerships are not enough. There are 1,138 rights, benefits and responsibilities that come with marriage, but do not come with civil unions/domestic partnerships (for more testimonies on why civil unions are not enough, click here)