(UPDATED) Limmer on Same-Sex Marriage Bill: 'Is That Minnesota Nice?'

Updated below. Minnesota state Sen. Warren Limmer (R-Maple Grove) took the lead in speaking against the same-sex marriage bill early in the debate on the floor of the Minnesota Senate Monday afternoon.

"The legislation before us ... does not protect religious institutions and nonprofits. It only protects [individual clergy and churches]. ... What about the YMCAs and the YWCAs ... Northwestern College, St. Thomas?

"This is essentially a partial protection for people of faith," Limmer said. He questioned whether the term "civil marriage" had received full consideration in the Minnesota House of Representatives.

"I know they considered it for maybe half an hour," he said. "The question to this body is, do we offer protection for all or only a few?"

Not Far Enough
"I don't think it goes far enough" in exempting religious institutions and nonprofit organizations, Limmer said. He listed the types of groups he had in mind, along with a few types of professionals he said also lacked protections under the bill. Limmer described these flaws in the bill:

• No protection from municipal anti-discrimination ordinances
• Would allow denial of grants to religious organizations
• No exemptions for businesses of any size
• No protection for public school teachers who have a different belief
• No protection for public officials except judges
• No protection for licensed professionals
• No protection for students who have a contrary opinion

Update: Later in Monday's debate on the floor of the Minnesota Senate, Limmer expanded on his arguments against the same-sex marriage bill:

"We're saying businesses can't take a half step back because of [their] deeply held faith," Limmer said, listing several types of professionals who provide services to weddings such as florists, photographers and town clerks.

To those people, Limmer said, the bill says their convictions "must stay within the four walls of your church. ... Don't say no to the power of government.'"

Limmer cited cases in other states of farmers, a license-bureau worker, innkeepers and florists who faced legal sanction for refusing to serve same-sex couples getting married.

"This bill says Minnesota will have to violate their conscience. ... Is that Minnesota Nice?" Limmer asked. "Are we just going to have the tread of history roll over people of religious faith?"

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