State Leaders Receive Clear, Timely Message: It's Time to Change the Debate, Discuss Fairness for Families

The effort on the day, 5/15, is meant to remind Minnesotans that it's time to change the debate and discuss fairness for allMinnesota families. A recent report published by Project 515 identifies at least 515 current state laws that provide benefits and obligations to couples based on the legal definition of marriage. Therefore, these laws discriminate against committed same-sex couples and their families.

"Every day, same-sex couples and their families are denied legal rights and responsibilities by 515 of our current state laws," said Laura Smidzik, executive director of Project 515. "So there is no better time than on 5/15 to begin to change the debate and discuss fairness under the law for all families -- a value that is important to Minnesotans across the state."

A statewide survey conducted by Decision Resources Ltd., one of Minnesota's leading public policy research and analysis firms, showed that about eight out of 10 Minnesotans believe the government should not treat people differently because of their sexual orientation. The survey also found that almost 70 percent of Minnesotans said they believe "gays and lesbians should have the same rights and responsibilities as everyone else."

However,Minnesota laws fall short. In the Project 515 report, "Unequal Under the Law: 515 Ways Minnesota Laws Discriminate Against Couples and Families," legal researchers identified at least 515 state statutes that discriminate against same-sex couples based on marriage. The report can be found at http://www.project515.org.

"This research is not simply a list of statutes," Smidzik said. "It's about the families that care for and protect each other every day despite the discrimination they face from our current laws. These are members of our families, friends, neighbors and co-workers."

The U.S. Census estimates that there are 9,000Minnesota households that identify as same-sex households, and the numbers are growing. The Williams Institute on Sexual Orientation at the UCLA School of Law reports that Minnesota is one of the top 10 states with the largest percentage increase in reported same-sex couples. These couples and their children face the brunt of state laws that discriminate on day-to-day issues -- for example, maintaining joint financial accounts -- to life-and-death matters -- such as medical decision-making.

"On 5/15, and throughout the next several months, we look forward to leading conversations about fairness with Minnesotans in communities across the state," Smidzik said. "Together, we can advocate for positive change that will put allMinnesota families on an equal footing."

For more information about Project 515, or to read a copy of its report, visit http://www.project515.org.

SOURCE Project 515

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