Minnesota legislator's gay rights speech video goes viral
Fri. May 6, 2011 10:11 AM by GoPride.com News Staff
St. Paul, MN -
Speaking against a proposed constitutional amendment that would ban gay marriage in Minnesota, State Rep. Steve Simon asked, "How many more gay people does God have to create before we ask ourselves whether or not God actually wants them around?" The speech and that moment has since become a YouTube hit with over 350,000 hits as of Friday morning.
Simon, a Democrat, was speaking Monday against Republican efforts to put a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage on the 2012 ballot. Despite Simon's opposition, the measure passed the committee and is now in the House Rules and Legislative Administration Committee.
Although his comment has generated discussion over the subject of gay marriage, Simon told Minnesota Public Radio that he doubts his comments will keep Republicans from getting the measure onto the ballot.
"This isn't about a legislative fight or persuading people in this building," Simon said. "It's making sure that a year and a half from now when it's on the ballot it goes down in defeat."
Watch the video here:
Simon, a Democrat, was speaking Monday against Republican efforts to put a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage on the 2012 ballot. Despite Simon's opposition, the measure passed the committee and is now in the House Rules and Legislative Administration Committee.
Although his comment has generated discussion over the subject of gay marriage, Simon told Minnesota Public Radio that he doubts his comments will keep Republicans from getting the measure onto the ballot.
"This isn't about a legislative fight or persuading people in this building," Simon said. "It's making sure that a year and a half from now when it's on the ballot it goes down in defeat."
Watch the video here: