Minnesota Independence Party to work against anti–gay marriage amendment

The Independence Party of Minnesota, one of three political parties in Minnesota with major party status, announced on Tuesday that it is joining the campaign to defeat a ballot measure that would place a ban on marriage for same-sex couples in the Minnesota Constitution if passed by the voters in 2012. The party announced shortly after the Minnesota Legislature passed the ballot initiative that it opposed the amendment, but the new announcement means party activists will actively campaign against the measure.

“Our platform declares that ‘We oppose having the government impose state-sponsored morality or values on people of good conscience with differing views,” chair Mark Jenkins said in a statement. “This is a perfect example.”

The Independence Party has joined with Minnesotans United for All Families, a coalition of groups working to convince voters to defeat the amendment.

“The campaign is thrilled to have the support of the Independence Party. It is clear that Minnesotans from across the political spectrum agree that government should not be deciding which Minnesotans have the opportunity to marry,” said Donald McFarland, a spokesperson for Minnesotans United.

The party came out with a video earlier this year in opposition to the amendment.

Jenkins said that the party’s officers and members will volunteer to defeat the amendment and will hold events around the issue leading up to November 2012.

The DFL has already come out against the amendment. The Republican Party of Minnesota has passing the amendment as part of the party platform.