Stepping Forward

The House Civil Justice Committee will be the first in Minnesota’s history to conduct a hearing on the possibility of legalizing same-sex marriage in the state. Not one, not two, but three bills will be up for discussion today, and all three support an expansion of relationship rights for same-sex couples in Minnesota.
The three bills are:

1. The Marriage and Family Protection Act would make marriages in Minnesota gender neutral
2. A Civil Unions bill is also being proposed
3. A Bill to would recognize same-sex marriage performed in states where it is legal, such as neighboring Iowa.

OutFront Minnesota, the state's largest LGBT equality group, said on its website that the “hearing[s] will be historic because it is the first time a committee in our state Legislature will be looking at what enacting marriage equality means for Minnesota.”
Of course, as happens in all sates where equality becomes an issue, there are opponents to the bills. Citizen activist Doug Benson who secured legislative support for the Marriage and Family Protection Act said called it a “show hearing” because there will be no vote taken on the bills so they won’t advance out of committee.
But Doug, you wingnut, it's a positive sign and a positive step.
Build a bridge, and get over it.