Minn. Officials Debate Gay Marriage

SAINT PAUL, Minn. - State house committee members are ready to debating three bills on gay marriage that would challenge the Minnesota’s Defense of Marriage Act, recognize civil unions, recognize legal marriages performed outside the state or legalize gay marriage in Minnesota.

So far this session, we have heard much more debate on issues like health care, the budget, not the social issue of gay marriage, which has generated a great deal of controversy in the past.

Supporters of gay marriage say there's a reason for that, while opponents say the issue is more critical now than ever before.

Last week, the District of Columbia joined six U.S. states to legalize gay marriage. In Minnesota, the issue has been debated but not passed.

The Minnesota Family Council wants to keep it that way. The council argues gay marriage could lead to the end of tax exempt status for churches, or public money used to promote same sex marriage. They want a constitutional amendment defining marriage as between a man and a woman.

The council is also bothered by a recent comment from DFL Senator John Marty, who said gay marriage could be signed into law as early as next year. Marty, a candidate for governor, believes a new administration could help quiet critics.