Why Marriage and Why Now?
Led by Michelle Dibblee, Organizing Director at OutFront Minnesota, and Bee Rongitsch,
Project Manager at Grassroots Solutions. Both Michelle and Bee were members of the field
leadership team at Minnesotans United for All Families.
Story of the campaign
Since the historic win on November 6, many, many stories are being told about the first-ever
campaign to reject a marriage amendment. Media outlets, spokespeople, and probably all of us
who were part of it, are talking about what we did and how we won. Our work, as grassroots
advocates, is to tell the story of the campaign and what we accomplished in a way that celebrates
the real work that we did and frames the conversation for future work. We asked participants to
share their stories of what we accomplished together. Here are some of the things people said:
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We changed the hearts and minds of Minnesotans through deeply personal conversations
about marriage.
We celebrated all families.
We stood up for ourselves and our loved ones.
We approached all conversations as a journey and avoided divisive language.
We created a new space for thousands of allies to take on leadership roles within the
movement.
We talked about gay people for one of the first times in a ballot measure campaign on
marriage.
We helped Minnesotans understand that same-sex couples want to get married for many of
the same reasons that straight folks choose to marry.
Why marriage and why now?
After this historic win, and the massive grassroots campaign, OutFront Minnesota and others are
planning to move forward, continuing the conversation by campaigning to legalize marriage for
same-sex couples during the 2013 legislative session. We also recognize that some folks may
feel tension about moving forward this year. We asked participants to meet in small groups, and
then share their thoughts about why a campaign for marriage is important, and why we should
move forward now. Here are some things that people said:
Session notes from Equality and Justice Summit workshop, December 1, 2012
For more information, contact Michelle at 612.822.0127 x7653 or [email protected]
Why marriage ...
 Our families deserve marriage - not the "second best" option.
 We've already begun a conversation about marriage, so let's keep on working for what we
really want.
 We want to marry for the same reason straight people want to marry, for love and
commitment.
 Our communities, families and government recognize marriage as the expression of love,
commitment and family.
Why now ...
 We have so many volunteers and so much momentum!
 Why not now - why should we wait to have our families supported and protected?
 The conversation is well underway with Minnesotans. We want to continue this conversation.
 We only have two years before another election, so we should go quickly.
Tensions that we/our communities/Minnesota might feel ... and that marriage proponents are
preparing to respond to.
 How do we both continue the conversation about love and commitment and advocate for full
marriage? Our response: Putting legislation forward to our elected decision makers is one
way we continue a conversation in a democracy. We'll be inviting constituents to talk with
their legislators, while we also continue the community discussion about why marriage
matters to same-sex couples.
 How can we do this and recognize that there are lots of other things that legislators will be
working on, especially since they have to work on the budget? Our response: Every session,
legislators work on many different issues. In odd-numbered years (like 2013), legislators will
be writing and passing the state budget for the next two years. They'll also consider all kinds
of laws -- so a proposal to legalize same-sex marriage will be one of many other pieces of
legislation considered this year. We expect that both legislators and community members
will engage on the issues most important to them.
So what's next?
To win marriage in the legislature, a bill must pass with a majority in the State House (68 votes)
and the State Senate (34 votes). Before that happens, a bill must be formally introduced and go
through committee hearings. Along the way, our job as grassroots advocates will be to
communicate to our legislators why we want them to vote YES for marriage. Below are some of
the things that you and your communities can do. (OutFront and others will provide support and
structure and training!)
 Meet with your legislators in St. Paul or in your home district
 Call and write your legislators.
 Participate in actions and trainings to build your skills and get other people involved community action trainings, volunteer recruitment phoning, Freedom to Marry Day and
Lobby Day!
 Keep talking to your friends and neighbors about why marriage matters to you and your
loved ones.
Session notes from Equality and Justice Summit workshop, December 1, 2012
For more information, contact Michelle at 612.822.0127 x7653 or [email protected]