Latz, Simon Help Gay Marriage Bills Through Committees

District 46 legislators Sen. Ron Latz and Rep. Steve Simon are among the state legislators who helped send a pair of same-sex marriage bills to the Senate and House floors Tuesday.

The Minnesota Senate Judiciary Committee, on which Latz is chairman, approved Senate File 925, a bill extending marriage rights to same-sex couples, on a party-line 5-3 vote Tuesday afternoon.

To watch video of the committee's discussion and vote on the bill, click on the  video at the top of this post or watch it at the UpTake's Livestream webpage.

A highlight of the debate was extended back-and-forth between opponent Sen. Warren Limmer (R-Maple Grove) and .

Sen. Terri Bonoff (DFL-Minnetonka) also co-authored the bill, along with Dibble and three other state senators. She wrote this recently in one of her weekly Capitol Updates:

This legislation includes language that clarifies the proposed change is permissive not restrictive, i.e. does not require clergy to marry same sex couples. While I am focused on issues related to job growth, education and the economy as well as operational effectiveness, I was honored to be asked to co-author this bill. I accepted this request on behalf of those who believe the time has come for the privilege of marriage to be shared by all (a belief I hold).

I understand that while many in my community share this view, there are also many who do not. Please understand, I respect our differing views and welcome the dialogue.

Just hours later, the House Civil Law Committee, on which Simon sits, voted 10-7 to pass legislation that would grant same-sex couples the freedom to marry as soon as August 1.

House File 1054, authored by Representative Karen Clark and co-authored by 22 other members of the Minnesota House, would remove limitations on marriage for same-sex couples from Minnesota state law, while also protecting the religious freedoms of clergy and faith institutions to practice their religious beliefs free from government interference or persecution.