The testimony of Republican Madeline
Koch before a Minnesota Senate committee hearing considering a gay
marriage ban has gone viral on the video sharing site YouTube.com.
On Friday, the Committee on Judiciary
and Public Safety heard more than 3 hours' worth of testimony on
Republican Senator Warren Limmer's proposed amendment that seeks to
constitutionally ban gay marriage in the state. With an 8 to 4
party-line vote the panel approved the measure and sent it to the
11-member Senate Rules and Administration Committee.
If approved, voters would be asked in
2012 to decide on the definition of marriage. Minnesota state law
already bans gay and lesbian couples from marrying.
In her testimony, Koch, 24, said the
amendment would take the GOP in the wrong direction.
“I'm here today because I would like
to give you my perspective and the perspective of most people I know
who are a part of my generation, political party and sexual
orientation on why adding a constitutional amendment that would ban
same-sex marriage is not only wrong on a moral front but also takes
our party in the wrong direction for future generations of
Republicans.”
“I don't believe that equal rights
for same-sex couples – or anyone – is a partisan issue.”
“The need for equality and the full
acceptance of GLBT people is something Minnesota's next generation of
leaders has already embraced,” Koch added.
“As a straight person not driven by
anything but ideology, I'd ask that you not let me down as my
representatives by putting your own personal beliefs and benefits in
the way of equality.” (The video is embedded in the right panel of
this page.)