The coalition that advocated last year for a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage in Minnesota has continued to fight as legislators now consider a marriage equality bill. The so-called “Minnesota for Marriage” coalition is urging pastors to use their sermon on April 7 to take a stand against same-sex marriage, and the provided materials — a “Sermon starter,” accompanying PowerPoint presentation, and bulletin insert — are gratuitously anti-gay. Notably, one passage not only condemns gay people as having a chosen behavior, but then compares the LGBT movement to Nazis for peddling untruths:

Third, there is a definitive problem. Homosexuals claim: “We were born this way; it is in our genes; God made us gay.” They cite old “gay gene” studies predominantly conducted by researchers who are homosexuals; studies that have been repudiated by credible research. Yet these same biased and discredited studies have been widely publicized by the liberal media as true and factual. They essentially practice Joseph Goebel’s Nazi philosophy of propaganda, which is basically this: Tell a lie long enough and loud enough and eventually most mindless Americans will believe it.

Hear this: God did not make anyone homosexual. The Bible declares that the definitive problem is ours: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way…” (Isaiah 53:6). Every one of us has a sin nature that twists and perverts God-given desires not only toward homosexuality, but toward all sorts of sin, including sexual sins such as promiscuity, adultery, pedophilia, etc. Our sinful nature is the root of all manner of evil, but with God’s help, we can choose not to give into those evil desires.

Dr. James Dobson says: “I am certain that homosexuality does not result from irresistible genetic influences, as some would have us believe.” Scientifically speaking, there is no gay gene. Listen, I do not believe that God would not place in your genetic code something that would damn your immortal soul. Again, it is our sin nature and its perverted and twisted desires that people give into, just as the Bible says in Rom. 1:24-27. That’s the definitive problem.

To sum up: LGBT activists use Nazi propaganda techniques, homosexuality is comparable to promiscuity, adultery, and pedophilia, and gays are sinners who have “perverted and twisted desires.”

The books this sermon claims have been “repudiated” were published in the early 1990s, and generally aren’t cited anywhere by anybody. The American Psychological Association explains that sexual orientation does have a biological component, and the latest research suggests that sexual orientation is determined by epigenetics — this means the “environmental factors” impacting gene presentation take place in the womb and have little to do with upbringing.

The clear takeaway is that Minnesota for Marriage has little interest in preserving “tradition” or “responsible procreation”; theirs is a mission of hateful condemnation.

Marriage equality legislation passed out of committees in both the Minnesota House and Senate on Tuesday, advancing to full floor votes in both chambers. But on Wednesday, Republicans in the Senate attempted to use parliamentary tactics to block the bill, as Minnesota Public Radio reports:

The maneuvering began on the Senate floor, when Republican Sen. Warren Limmer objected to a routine motion to adopt a report from the Senate Judiciary Committee, which approved the same-sex marriage bill a day earlier on a party-line vote.

The objection forced a recess of the floor session and sent the matter to the Senate Rules Committee, where Limmer explained that he had received information showing the bill could cost the state $688,000 in added insurance benefits to state employees.

Not only was there nothing to substantiate this funding claim, but Republicans were actually trying to argue that by simply accepting the report from the committee, they were approving same-sex marriage itself. Here’s Senate Minority Leader David Hann (R) attempting to make sense of this tactic:

HANN: When we adopt a committee report we are in effect endorsing — and this is the quote: ‘…the statement or expressing its approval by the body’ of the substance of the report. And it has the effect of ‘expressing approval or endorsing the findings or recommendations’ of the report. So members, what we’re doing by adopting the report that is before us is we’re adopting same-sex marriage in Minnesota.

The floor hasn’t voted on the bill yet. Anybody who wishes to vote against adopting marriage equality can vote to do so when given the opportunity. Resorting to such procedural maneuvers suggests fear that of the results of that vote, and desperation to block it.

Furthermore, though a specific report has not been calculated for Minnesota yet, the Williams Institute has consistently found that marriage equality brings revenue to states, not costs. Worst of all, the argument put forth here is that Republicans don’t want marriage equality because they don’t want to extend insurance to same-sex partners. Apparently, gay people are just less deserving of basic health protections.

As expected, the Minnesota House Civil Law Committee advanced marriage equality legislation tonight with a vote of 10-7, reflecting today’s similar vote in the Senate Judiciary Committee. The bill now advances to the full House, but as in the Senate, its potential for passage there is not yet known. Still, that the bill would advance to the floor of both chambers just months after the state defeated a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage speaks to incredible progress in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. As was mentioned during the discussion this evening, Republicans thought it was more important to ban same-sex marriage than even pass a state budget, and the expediency of this equality legislation speaks to a much greater attention to the welfare of all Minnesotans. The Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party has committed to passing a budget before allowing a floor vote on marriage.

Just now, the Minnesota Senate Judiciary Committee voted 5-3 to advance a bill that would legalize same-sex marriage. It now proceeds to the Senate floor, but it’s unclear how much support is waiting there for it. The House Civil Law Committee also already heard testimony today and will continue its hearing and discussion later this evening. Two years ago, Republicans voted to advance a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage, but in November, that ballot measure lost and Republicans lost their power in the legislature.

Today, committees in both the Minnesota House and Senate are hearing testimony in favor of marriage equality legislation. Among those who spoke before the House Civil Law Committee was Lynne Osterman (R), who served in the state House in 2003–2004 and voted for a constitutional “defense of marriage act” (DOMA) to ban same-sex marriage. In tearful testimony, she expressed her regret for that “politically expedient” vote and implored the current lawmakers not to make the same mistake:

OSTERMAN: I served as a Republican because of my interest in smaller government, and it was incredibly counter-intuitive to me to then upon my arrival tell citizens how the government wanted them to live their lives. I didn’t come to St. Paul to single out same-sex couples and their families, but in my only term as a member I cast a politically expedient vote in favor of DOMA and I have regretted that ever since. It was not in my conscience or my own compass.

Voting no today this session might seem politically expedient, but I can tell you from experience that you will have to live knowing that a “no” vote is not fair, it’s not respectful, and it’s not equal. I blew my vote and I’m imploring you: please get this right. Minnesota citizens just want you to lead.

Watch it:

Debate on same-sex marriage will resume  today in Minnesota as both the House Civil Law Committee and Senate Judiciary Committee host hearings on a proposed equality bill. The legislation already has enough support to pass out of both committees and receive floor votes. Rep. Glenn Gruenhagen (R), a staunch opponent of marriage equality, got a headstart on the debate Monday with a particularly awkward use of a “point of personal privilege”:

GRUENHAGEN: I have a close friend here — the last couple years — his name is Kevin Petersen. Kevin, why don’t you stand up and say hi? The interesting thing about Kevin is he was active in the gay lifestyle for about 10 years, and then he left it, got married, and he now has three children. Thank you.

Watch it:

Gruenhagen and Petersen worked together to try to pass November’s amendment to ban same-sex marriage, but were not successful. Last month, Gruenhagen explained his anti-gay positions by describing homosexuality as “an unhealthy, sexual addiction” and decrying any claim that it’s an immutable characteristic as “an unscientific lie.” Petersen believes that gay activists recruit “sexually confused people” by convincing them “that they can’t possibly change and gay is good.” He attributes his conversion to the ex-gay group Exodus and the Catholic celibacy group Courage.

Speaker Paul Thissen (DFL) made it clear after Gruenhagen’s comments that “points of personal privilege” will no longer be allowed for recognizing groups, family, or friends.

After a bipartisan group in Minnesota’s state legislature introduced marriage equality legislation Wednesday, Republican State Rep. Glenn Gruenhagen is already on the warpath to prevent equality. He told reporters that being gay or lesbian is nothing more than “an unhealthy, sexual addiction.” And State Sen. Dan Hall (R), fear-mongering that some future legislation might require clergy to officiate same-sex weddings, said he would rather go to jail than do so.

At a press conference held by Republican opponents of marriage equality, Gruenhagen explained his view:

GRUENHAGEN: When we’re talking about gay marriage, we’re not talking about an immutable characteristic like the color of your skin. Okay? The human genome map was completed in 2003. There is no gay gene. Okay? So the concept that you’re born that way and it’s an immutable characteristic is an unscientific lie.

Watch the video:

When pressed by a reporter, Gruenhagen added. “It doesn’t matter what my opinion is. It matters what the scientific facts are… it is a sexual choice.”

Gruenhagen’s opposition to LGBT equality and science is nothing new. In 2011, he dismissed the work of biologist Alfred Kinsey, calling the late sexuality expert a “filthy, perverted unscientific liar” and calling for all of his research to be destroyed. Last year, he told a Tea Party rally that “the concept of sexual orientation was started by Sigmund Freud… he’s a pervert, he’s a moron in my opinion, and I don’t believe in anything that he came up with.”

Studies have shown biological causes for homosexuality and the American Psychological Association recognizes sexual orientation as an inherent trait that should be affirmed.

Sen. Hall, a minister, noted in the same press conference that while this bill specifically protects religious leaders’ right not to officiate at same-sex weddings, a future bill might take that protection away. “I personally will go to jail,” he promised, “before I ever perform a marriage to a homosexual.”

Last November, voters in Minnesota both rejected a proposed marriage inequality constitutional amendment proposed by the then-Republican-controlled state legislature and elected new Democratic Farm Labor (Minnesota’s Democratic Party) majorities in both the state House and Senate. Both Hall and Gruenhagen were among those voting to put the amendment on the ballot. Governor Mark Dayton (D) has pledged to sign a marriage equality bill if it reaches his desk.

The National Organization for Marriage is once again exercising its muscle in order to try to get its way, promising $500,000 to campaign against Republicans who support marriage equality in Minnesota and support Democrats who oppose it. NOM claimed victory for this tactic in New York, even though only one of the four candidates they campaigned against was actually replaced by someone who agrees with their position. In a press release announcing the commitment to bullying, NOM’s Brian Brown specifically called out Sen. Branden Petersen (R) for endorsing the marriage equality effort, claiming that the issue is all about protecting children:

BROWN: Republicans like Branden Petersen don’t realize that not only is voting to redefine marriage a terrible policy, it is also a career-ending vote for a Republican. NOM will do everything in our power to defeat any Republican who votes in favor of same-sex marriage. Legislators need look no further than what happened to GOP Senators in New York. Four of them were responsible for passing gay marriage. We helped take out three of those Senators by repeatedly informing their constituents of their betrayal on marriage. They are now out of office. We will not hesitate to do the same thing in Minnesota.

We urge Democrats in the Minnesota Legislature to vote their values, and not what their party bosses tell them. Standing for true marriage is the right thing to do for Minnesota families, and especially for children. The fact is that Minnesota children, and all children, have a right to expect laws that promote them being raised by a mother and father. We will support those legislators, Democrats and Republicans alike, who vote for Minnesota family values, just as we have done in other states. Marriage is not a partisan issue, and NOM does not hesitate to oppose weak Republicans and support strong Democrats.

As always, NOM completely ignores the many children already being raised by same-sex couples who would benefit if their parents could marry. A Williams Institute study of the 2010 Census estimated that there are over 1,600 same-sex couples already raising children in Minnesota, a third of whom identify as spouses. There are at least an additional 8,500 couples who would benefit from the legal protections marriage affords. NOM’s bullying tactics are deplorable enough, but scapegoating children under the guise of “family values” is that much worse.

As Minnesota state lawmakers prepare to introduce marriage equality legislation, Republican Sen. Branden Petersen has announced he will be a co-sponsor. Though he voted for the amendment banning same-sex marriage two years ago, Petersen now believes supporting same-sex marriage is the “right thing” to do:

PETERSON: At this point, I am concerned about doing the right thing. I have a certain amount of peace about that, and I will let the chips fall where they may. It’s only a matter of time before same-sex marriage is legal. I thought it was important to engage the issue now, and when we do it, do it right, and that there’s some perspective from the people I represent in that. I know there are other Republicans who are very interested in supporting same-sex marriage.

Petersen explained that his father-in-law has been in a same-sex relationship for 20 years, and he doesn’t want the issue to divide the state the way it has divided his family. He does have a few amendments he wants to propose to the bill, but none seem to weaken its guarantee of equality. Among his concerns is making sure religious leaders can choose not to wed same-sex couples, a provision that most same-sex marriage bills have included. He also wants to make sure the kids in same-sex marriages have the same financial guarantees in the event of a divorce as the children of opposite-sex couples.

Sen. Scott Dibble (DFL), the bill’s sponsor, sees no problem with any of Petersen’s recommendations. He believes having a Republican co-sponsor is “awesome” and may inspire other members of the GOP to add their support.

A new PPP poll of Minnesotans shows a plurality now supports marriage equality, by a 47 to 45 margin. Fully 75 percent of Minnesotans (including 65 percent of Republicans) back at least allowing civil unions. PPP estimates that given the trend and the age demographics, a majority Minnesotans will likely support marriage equality by the next election.

In November, Minnesotans defeated a marriage inequality constitutional amendment, proposed by the then-Republican majorities in the state’s House and Senate, by a 51-47 margin. At the same time, voters elected new Democratic Farm Labor (Minnesota’s Democratic Party) majorities in both chambers.

Armed with the popular mandate from November’s elections, supporters of marriage equality plan to push a bill to grant same-sex couples the right to marry in Minnesota in the next few months. Gov. Mark Dayton (D) has pledged to sign the bill if it reaches his desk.