'It's Legal in Iowa—What's Wrong With Minnesota?'

For one Dakota County couple, the struggle for "Freedom to Marry" predates the Minnesota Marriage Amendment by more than four decades. 

“It’s déjà vu," said Thea Harriday, an Apple Valley resident who met her husband, who is African American, more than 43 years ago. "This is sheer ignorance and pride—just like 45 years ago."

At the time, less than a decade had gone by since the U.S. Supreme Court had ruled anti-miscegenation laws unconstitutional in 1967 (Loving v. Virginia). 

Though Minnesota was one of a handful of states that had never enacted laws forbidding interracial marriage, the social stigma against it was strong. Harriday said her family disowned her, and more than 200 relatives living in the Twin Cities boycotted the wedding—an especially painful reminder of the prejudice that surrounded the young couple. Many years would go by before the Harridays' marriage was recognized in all 50 states.

After four decades, Harriday’s family has come around and many have apologized, but she doesn’t want her own daughter, who is a lesbian, to have to endure the same hatred and societal censure she did.

She said she was shocked when the Legislature presented the amendment to the governor’s office, which is why she and her entire family have joined Dakota County Votes No, an aggressive new campaign to rally locals against the Marriage Amendment.

“People should be able to marry the people they love. [Being LGBT] is not a choice,” Harriday said on Sunday. “And these are the same people who say the government should stay out of our personal lives.”

“It’s legal in Iowa,” Harriday added. “What’s wrong with Minnesota?”

On Sunday, Dakota County Votes No staged its first major event at , though the movement has quietly been gaining steam since the GOP-controlled Legislature pushed the measure through last year.

Dakota County Votes No grew out of smaller grassroots efforts by local residents and faith groups, said Veda Kanitz, a member of Burnsville’s and a science teacher at . She said Open Circle jumped into the fray after the bill was passed last year. They church hosted weekly events and staged house parties to rally against the amendment. Each week attendance grew slowly but steadily, Kanitz said, from 10 to 20 to 30 people.

“We’re holding this kickoff to energize our base, get people out to vote and start meaningful conversation about this amendment,” Kanitz said Sunday.

At this point, public opinion seems to be split down the middle, said Kim Hansen, an Inver Grove Heights resident who serves as the regional organizing director for the south metro area.

“We know this is close and it’s going to remain close,” Hansen said. “We feel that with our strategy, which focuses on deeply relational stories, we can sway undecided voters.”

Organizers hope to turn the tide against the amendment by November, when the proposal will go before the voters during the general election.

Dakota County Votes No will move into its new headquarters in Eagan this week. The group will set up shop in an office off Cliff Road and I-35E, at 1964 Rahncliff Rd. As soon as the water is turned on, they will begin their campaign in earnest, with a phone bank on Thursday.