President Obama’s MN campaign opposes marriage amendment
President Obama's campaign in Minnesota has issued a statement saying the campaign will oppose the state's proposed constitutional amendment to define marriage as between one man and one woman.
"While the President does not weigh in on every single ballot measure in every state, the record is clear that the President has long opposed divisive and discriminatory efforts to deny rights and benefits to same sex couples," said Kristen Sosanie, spokeswoman for the Obama for America - Minnesota campaign. "That's what the Minnesota ballot initiative would do - it would single out and discriminate against committed gay and lesbian couples - and that's why the President does not support it."
This isn't the first instance where President Obama has spoken out about a ballot initiative that bans same-sex marriage. The campaign released a statement in March saying Mr. Obama opposed the amendment in North Carolina.
The statement comes as Mr. Obama is courting the gay community heading into the November election. He has long opposed efforts to allow gay couples to marry but said his views on gay marriage "are evolving." His administration, however, is no longer defending the federal Defense of Marriage Act and says it blocks gay rights.
It isn't certain what impact the campaign will have on the constitutional amendment efforts to ban same-sex marriage. Groups have been raising millions to both support and oppose the amendment.
Update: It should be noted that Minnesota law currently bans same-sex marriage.
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