Booming chants of gay-rights advocates created a wall of sound in the Capitol Thursday as they -- and their opponents -- awaited a House vote on whether to place a constitutional amendment defining marriage on the 2012 election ballot. The measure would recognize marriage as the union only of a man and a woman.
The passionate demonstrations, which echoed through the marble building's three floors and down to the basement, came as moods are shifting and the votes in the House are less clear than in past years. Supporters and opponents are each running a full-court lobbying effort to make sure the vote goes their way, targeting members who they think may waver.
"If I were a betting man, I wouldn't bet either way," said Rep. John Kriesel, R-Cottage Grove. The freshman made his opposition to the amendment clear weeks ago.
But Republican leaders say they will pass the amendment this year and get it to the ballot, although they did not bring the measure to a vote Thursday.
State law already prohibits same-sex marriages, but backers of the amendment want it in the Constitution because they say the law could be overturned by judges or future Legislatures.
Passage has long been a priority for GOP members, but in the past they were bottled up by Democratic control of the Legislature. With Republicans now in charge, they say this is their year.
On Thursday, the measure's opponents outnumbered its supporters in volume and numbers at the Capitol. But both made their voices heard.
"Let the people vote!" supporters said.
"Just vote no!" shouted the opponents.
Change in the polls
Public opinion polls have found dramatic changes on the issue in recent years. Once, a clear majority said they supported the marriage amendment. Now, according to a recent Star Tribune poll, a slim majority opposes it.
This year, some young Republicans inside and outside the Legislature are openly and adamantly saying the amendment is not fair.
The measure has already passed the Senate, so it simply requires approval from the House to reach the ballot. It does not need the signature of Gov. Mark Dayton, who opposes it.
Although the bill could come up at any time, by Thursday evening no vote was scheduled.
That means both sides could return to the Capitol again and again, through Monday's adjournment, to make their voices heard.
"If they don't vote today, we'll be back tomorrow and the next day," said Monica Meyer, executive director of OutFront Minnesota, the state's largest advocacy group for gays and lesbians.
Republican lawmakers, most of whom support the bill, walked unscathed through the raucous crowd, despite the shouting advocates.
Among the legislators was Red Wing Rep. Tim Kelly, one of two Republicans to declare he will vote against the amendment.
"I believe it's a little overreaching from a government standpoint," he said Thursday.
Kelley voted against the bill in committee this week, where it passed by just one vote.
Nicole Burg, a bill opponent, called out to him as he walked by.
"I think it was very courageous for him to go against his party," Burg shouted above the din of the crowd.
At the same time, Hastings resident David Edmeier stood in the front of the throng holding aloft a pro-amendment sign.
"This is our constitutional right -- to vote -- and it's in the Bible, too," he said.
Staff writer Rachel E. Stassen-Berger contributed to this report. vonste@startribune.com • 651-222-0973 eric.roper@startribune.com • 651-222-1210
