The Duluth City Council, on a 6-2 vote, approved a resolution opposing the proposed state constitutional marriage amendment that Minnesotans will vote on in November.
If approved by voters, the amendment would ban gay marriage, and a majority of the Duluth council doesn’t like that prospect. It’s the first city in the state to take a stand on the proposed amendment, says the Duluth News Tribune.
Said the paper:
The resolution passed 6-2, with Councilors Jim Stauber and Todd Fedora voting in the minority. Councilor Jay Fosle left the meeting early and did not participate in the vote.
Resolution sponsor Jeff Anderson said: “This directly affects and impacts people in the city of Duluth. This is about maintaining inclusive communities that will help us grow and thrive.”
Stauber said of his opposition to the resolution and support of the proposed amendment:
“The good citizens of the state of Minnesota will all get a chance to vote on this. It’s a pretty simple issue, and people should be allowed to vote. I don’t think City Council is the place to convince people whether to support this amendment or not. We’re here to conduct city business.
“I, for one, will not support any definition of marriage other than as a union between a man and woman.”
Council President Sharla Gardner co-sponsored the resolution and said:
“I believe the role of city government is to be the front line of democracy.”
