The University of Minnesota Senate on
Thursday overwhelmingly approved a resolution opposing a proposed
constitutional amendment which would ban gay marriage in Minnesota.
The University Senate includes faculty,
academic professionals, civil service staff, and student
representatives from the school's main Twin Cities campus and four
other campuses across the state.
The resolution
states that the amendment “would make it unacceptably difficult
for [gay and lesbian] individuals to achieve the same rights,
freedoms, respect, legal protections, and legal opportunities as
heterosexual couples. The amendment is detrimental to the interest
of the University of Minnesota and its faculty, staff and students.”
The resolution calls on all members of
the University community to vote against the measure this fall.
Minnesotans
United for All Families, the campaign working to defeat the
amendment, thanked the school in a statement.
“We would like to extend our
appreciation to the University of Minnesota Senate for taking a stand
on such an important issue facing our great state. This amendment
would only hurt thousands of committed couples and their families in
Minnesota, providing not a single benefit to Minnesotans. The
University Senate adds to the growing momentum sweeping across the
state to stand united against this hurtful amendment that limits the
freedom to marry. Minnesotans know that marriage is about love,
commitment and responsibility. We thank the University community for
its commitment to speaking out about why freedom is important, why
marriage is important, and why defeating this amendment is so
crucial.”