Minnesota- The Ride to Same-Sex Marriage

“I urge you to vote against [same sex marriage] because it puts a health risk on the society at large [due to the spread of AIDS].”  This rather inaccurate argument was stated by a Mike Frey, a Minnesota citizen, earlier this year when the state was deciding the fate of same-sex marriage (Sieczkowski 2013).  Many Minnesotans, both heterosexual and homosexual, supported the allowance of same-sex marriage.  However, there was also many in the dominant group, heterosexuals, that opposed same-sex marriage. 

The state was split for months.  The year before, during the election, there was a vote deciding whether to add discrimination of marriage into the state constitution.  Signs were posted everywhere, advertising to Vote Yes or Vote No (Condon 2011). 

Minneapolis-St. Paul Archbishop John Nienstedt connected gay marriage to be the work of the devil (Bennett-Smith 2013). 

Former representative Michele Bachmann even labeled gay couples “unconventional,” along with same-sex marriage (Wing 2013).   

This entire debate is interesting because views changed over the years, like other states that have experienced the legalization of same-sex marriage.  In the past two years, the majority of Minnesotans became in favor of the marriage of the non-dominant group (Condon 2011).  

In terms of co-cultural theory, homosexuals experienced a change in communication about their beliefs for same-sex marriage over the years.  Many years ago, when same-sex marriage wasn’t even an option, homosexuals remained non-assertive, avoiding the issue.  However, with the changing times, the communication orientations migrated to being more proactive and assertive.  While homosexuals were never aggressive, they did get their beliefs across by communication their thoughts, education others, and focusing on the strengths, or benefits of the allowance of same-sex marriage.

More specifically, there was a multitude of negative reactions associated with Mike Frey’s speech, and an HIV/AIDS charity disputed his claim, saying that heterosexuals and women were just as likely to contract the disease (Sieczkowski 2013).   The tax benefits and Minnesota economy growth was emphasized as well, in arguing for same-sex marriage.

There were a lot of different labels associated with the same-sex marriage debate.  The homosexual and heterosexual labels sparked the marriage debate in the first place.  There were a lot of negative labels as well.  “Homophobes” was used against those that opposed same-sex marriage.  As discussed earlier, homosexuals were labeled as “unconventional” and going against the Church.  Many of these labels obviously demonstrated prejudicial feelings.  Furthermore, the fact that the majority of Minnesotans labeled themselves as same-sex marriage advocates in the past few years sparked the movement for equality.  Obviously, labeling themselves as advocates was very powerful.

The relationship between languages used during this issue and the reality lead to some tension.  Calling opposing sides “unconventional” or “fags” may have initially intended to sway beliefs, but in the long run was hurtful and unnecessary.  But language we use does stay in mind when making decisions.  It will be a long time before people forget that Mike Frey called homosexuals a health risk.   Our idea of reality can be changed due to different types and stronger language used to prove a point.  People must be aware of the language used and decipher whether or not it makes an accurate statement.  If interpreted incorrectly, this can lead to needless disparities and some injustices in intercultural communication.

Overall, Minnesota eventually got over these differences, voted in support of the non-dominant group, and made history.

Bennett-Smith, Meredith. (2013).  Minnesota Archbishop John Nienstedt claims Satan behind gay marriage, condoms and porn.  Huffington Post.  Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/15/minneapolis-archbishop-gay-marriage-satan-john-nienstedt_n_3927615.html

Condon, Patrick.  (2011).  Minnesota voters to decide on gay marriage ban.  Associated Press.  Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/22/minnesota-gay-marriage-ban-vote_n_865334.html

Sieczkowski, Cavan.  (2013).  Mike Frey, Minnesota resident, gives outrageously inaccurate testimony against gay marriage.  Huffington Post.  Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/12/minnesota-gay-marriage-hearing-mike-frey_n_2861330.html

Wing, Nick. (2013).  Michele Bachmann was right! Gay couples will marry in Minnesota. Huffington Post.  Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/14/michele-bachmann-gay-couples_n_3275311.html