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HRC Agenda 101311AGENDA GOLDEN VALLEY HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION Golden Valley City Hall Council Conference Room October 13, 2011 — 7 pm A = Action D = Discussion Call to Order Open Forum Chair's Report A - Approval of the minutes from September 8, 2011 regular meeting. Committee Reports: I. Executive Committee Report II. Nomination and Governance Committee Report III. Human Rights Community Issues Report from GV Police Dept. Old Business D/A - Bill Hobbs Human Rights Award New Business D- Community Meeting Planning Adiournment This document is available in alternate formats upon a 72 -hour request. Please call 763-593-8006 (TTY: 763-593-3968) to make a request. Examples of alternate formats may include large print, electronic, Braille, audiocassette, etc. THE LEAGUE OF MINNESOTA HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSIONS 4100 Lakeview Avenue North, Robbinsdale, MN 55422 Telephone (763) 535-1059 0 TO: All members of the League of Minnesota Human Rights Commissions 1`61. w1(Y-3-16 FROM: The League Board of Directors Awareness and Outreach Team W. RE: Lobbying against the 2012 Constitutional Amendment DATE: September 26, 2011 Moorhead However, courts have held that public funds belong equally to the proponents and New Hope`°" opponents of a proposition. Minnesota law prohibits local government entities from Nortfie Northfield spending _public funds on campaigns to promote the rejection or adoption of Olmsted County Owatonna amendments to the Minnesota Constitution. Op. Att'y Gen. Statein'ent of Position, Plymouth -a; Expenditure of Public Funds on Ballot Issue Advocacy (July 2008). Therefore, local Richfield commissions cannot lawfully spend public money on 'opposing, the "constitutional Roosevilleale amendment. For example, a local commission probably should not spend money in its St Cloud St Louis Park r budget on publishing an ad in the" local paper on opposing the constitutional amendment St Paul ti s P* i xs N x1 wY" r: Yx Yr.r f• St Peter Shakopee Notwithstandingwthis resttiction; tl ere is still s loty,a local commission can do to"help' :' Shoreview Stillwater .i! z1?, �{r�X s s ,', L Virginia "defeat: this'`amendment Ivlariyj of our locahhuman-.:rights ,ordinances -define human } Willmar ' nights commissioners as^"persons_known to favor the principles of equal opportunity and ' Winona o hers in formation nondiscrimination" — like supporting the MN Human Rights �Act,'prohibition against discrimination based on someone's sexual orientation. As advocates for human rights, you can take a stand against this discrimination. [OVER] As you are probably aware, in May of 2011, the Minnesota legislature approved putting Board of Directors: Cameron Cegelske, Pres., St. Paul a state constitutional amendment banning same-sex - marriage to Minnesota voters in Ada Alden, Vice Pres., Plymouth Dave Gallus, Treasurer, mile Lacs November 2012. League members have contacted us recently, asking us if we had any Beth Burrows, Co.,Sec., New Ulm Virginia laevom, Co -Sec.,. Plymouth information on lobbying against the proposed amendment. Sam Abdullai,Shoreview Carol Bannister, Lake Elmo Arnold Bigbee, Edina Since 1993, Minnesota has prohibited discrimination in public services against people Elizabeth Emerson, St. Paul Libby Fairchild, Chaska because of their sexual orientation. The League's mission is to assist its members — Peg Flaherty, New Hope Georgette Gray, Robbinsdale local human rights commissions -like you — to enhance the rights of all groups of people Louisa Hent, Minneapolis Molly Koivumaki, Chaska protected under the Minnesota Human Rights Act. So, we felt it was necessary to Thelma McKenzie, Roseville Sonja Peterson, Minneapolis, update you on lobbying against the amendment. Evelyn Staus, Brooklyn Park Scott Yeazle, Duluth Nancy Haugdahl, Financial Coord. Larry Clark, Honorary, Red wing But the first question we must ask as local government commissions is: Can we lobby on constitutional amendments? There are some legal restrictions on local government units from advocating for or against the passage of constitutional amendments. First and Member Commissions: foremost, and thanks to the First Amendment, the Minnesota Attorney General's Office Albert Lea Anoka has concluded that: Arden Hills Austin Brooklyn Park B ook Public officials are generally free, individually and collectively to announce their Chakcrystals views on matters of public interest. Furthermore, it is not likely that local Du Prairie governments or associations can be precluded from taking and publicizing Edina Fairmont positions on such matters, even in those circumstances where the matters are not Falcon Heights Fergus Falls within the jurisdiction of the governing bodies. Forest Lake Golden Valley Grand Hibbing Op. Att'y Gen., 6/30/06, p. 6. Thus, as individuals and as a commission, you can take a Op. ns st °ankilCounty position against the proposed constitutional amendment and encourage others in your Lake Elmo Marshall community to do likewise. Mille Lacs Area Minneapolis Moorhead However, courts have held that public funds belong equally to the proponents and New Hope`°" opponents of a proposition. Minnesota law prohibits local government entities from Nortfie Northfield spending _public funds on campaigns to promote the rejection or adoption of Olmsted County Owatonna amendments to the Minnesota Constitution. Op. Att'y Gen. Statein'ent of Position, Plymouth -a; Expenditure of Public Funds on Ballot Issue Advocacy (July 2008). Therefore, local Richfield commissions cannot lawfully spend public money on 'opposing, the "constitutional Roosevilleale amendment. For example, a local commission probably should not spend money in its St Cloud St Louis Park r budget on publishing an ad in the" local paper on opposing the constitutional amendment St Paul ti s P* i xs N x1 wY" r: Yx Yr.r f• St Peter Shakopee Notwithstandingwthis resttiction; tl ere is still s loty,a local commission can do to"help' :' Shoreview Stillwater .i! z1?, �{r�X s s ,', L Virginia "defeat: this'`amendment Ivlariyj of our locahhuman-.:rights ,ordinances -define human } Willmar ' nights commissioners as^"persons_known to favor the principles of equal opportunity and ' Winona o hers in formation nondiscrimination" — like supporting the MN Human Rights �Act,'prohibition against discrimination based on someone's sexual orientation. As advocates for human rights, you can take a stand against this discrimination. [OVER] United we stand, but divided we fall: Our country is based on this principle -- and so is the institution of marriage. Marriage is a public expression of a couple's commitment, love, and responsibility for oach other and their family. „ Minnesota has an interest in promoting family units to achieve social stability, eco riof.m c int'e'rdependence; `and a� ealthy environment where children and adults may prosper. The dimensions of `family'. have ; expanded ,considerably in recent years, and the 2010 U.S. Census indicates that families headed by or consisting of same- sex couples reside in every county in Minnesota. By withholding from some families important legal rights and obligations, a constitutional amendment banning the legal recognition of same- sex relationships would frustrate the State's goal of promoting families. In addition, the amendment does not fulfill the intent of Article 16 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, i.e., the right to freely choose a spouse. Constitutions,historically_ have .been designed to protect minorities from the arbitrary; imposition • - r. r•iit ... r...r r',.. r. rll Y.e A1J w.al of unjust barriers by the majority. In fact, Arti6le~1 of the Mfffi esota Constitution is the Bill of Rights, securing the rights, privileges and liberty of the residents of Minnesota. The amendment would have a direct, negative impact on Minnesota's GLBT community, by denying equal protection of the law and relegating families headed by or consisting of same-sex couples to a permanent second-class citizenship status. The amendment would deny spousal benefits to a specific class because of their sexual orientation. Don't turn Minnesota's Bill of Rights into a Bill of Anti -Rights! Here is what the League is. recommending of its members who; want. to take action against this discrimination: An organization called Minnesotans United for All Families is a coalition made up of faith organizatioins, small businesses, labor uAions .arts groups, community leaders, elected officials, Republicans, DFL'ers, Greens, Independents, etc. ' This coalition is sponsoring more than a dozen trainings all over the state to provide people with the skills, tools and confidence to talk to their family, friends, coworkers, and neighbors about the amendment. We encourage our members to attend the trainings, speak to others, and team together to defeat the amendment. Enclosed is a flyer about the trainings, and here is a site for the events: http:/hnnunited.org/event. cfin?eventid=l8 You may also contact Minnesotans. United for All Families at 651-330-6852 or VOLUNTEER(&,MNUNITED.ORG and ask them for training in your community or for other information on how you may work to defeat the constitutional amendment. In addition, the League recommends that 'you contact OutFront Minnesota at http://www.outfront.org/takeaction/volunteer, or Project 515, at http://project5l5.org/volunteer/ for more information on how you and your commission can volunteer to defeat the amendment. Finally, volunteer with the League of Minnesota Human Rights Commissions, by contacting Outreach(a,leaQueofinnhumanrihg ts.org. THANKS FOR SUPPORTING HUMANRIGHTS FOR ALL INMINNESOTA! MINNESOTANS UNITED for ALL FAMILIES ,..;F•.. COMMUNITY ACTION TRAININGS. Date and Time: ° Sep' 13, 2011- Oct 16, 2011 10:00 AM- 8:30:00 PM Contact info: volunteer@mnunited.orgor 651-330-6852 Minnesota can be the first state in the country to defeat an anti -marriage amendment! We're going to do it the Minnesota way: the largest grassroots campaign this state has ever seen. That's why OutFront Minnesota and Minnesotans United for all Families are teaming up to put on more than a dozen trainings in every corner ofthe staWmore than *aydebefo'r"e'tlie'first'Votes are cast! That's where you come in! Whether this is the first time you've ever cared about politics or you're a seasoned organizer we're ready to help you get to work. You can expect to come out of the training with the: • skills • tools • confidence to talk to your family, friends coworkers and neighbors about the anti -marriage amendment'. RSVP on Facebook or by filling,oiut the form located at http://www.mnunited.org/event.cfm?eveni*i*d=tg","" C Minneapolis Tuesday, September 13th from 6-8pm Location: Sabathani Community Center Auditorium, 310 East 38th Street #200 Moorhead Saturday, September 17 from 10am-12pm Location: First Congregational UCC, 406 South 8th Street North Metro Suburbs Tuesday, September 20 from 6-8pm Location: TBD :Duluth. Saturday, September 24 from l 0am-12pm Location: Pilgrim UCC, 2310 East 4th Street Childcare is available for this event. To take advantage of this service, register your own RSVP before contacting Mel Rexroad (mel.rexroad@familyequality.org or 612-516-4404). Saint Paul Wednesday, October 12 from 6-8pm. Location: Hamline University Rochester Thursday, September 29 from 6-8pm. Location: TBD Childcare Is available for fhis*ev'dnt. To'take'ddVahtag . e'of this, setvice,-r'eg'l's't-'er."your o"w, ft RSVP before contacting'* M6"*I-*Rexroad (mel.rexroad@fair'hily'equality.org br642-5 1-81440 Mankato Saturday, October 1 from l0am-12pm Location: TBD South Metro Suburbs Tuesday, October 4. from 6-8pm Location: TBD Alexandria Thursday, October 6 from 6-8pm Location: TBD Bemidji Saturday,* October 8 from 10am-12pm Locatiom TBD Saint -eloud Tuesday, October 11 from 6-8pm Location: S.CSU,--'-" Childcare' i§ available fr'this event. To take advantage of this service, register your own RSVP before contacting Mel Rexroad (mel.rexroad@fainilyequality.org or 612-516-'4404).' Marshall Saturday, October 15 from 10arn-12pm Location: TBD Minneapolis Sunday, October 16 from 10am-12pm Location: TBD Childcare is available for this event. To take advantage of this service, register your own RSVP. before contacting Mel Rexroad (mel.rexroad@familyequality.org or 612-516-4404). RESOLUTION OF THE ,LEAGUE OF MINNESOTA HUMAN RIC14TS COMMISSIONS May 22, 2011 Be It Resolved Than... .Whereas, states,,, ave an interest,in promoting family units as a means toward cchieving social stability, private economic interdeliendence, and healthier =viroiunents in which both children and adults may prosper, and Whereas, the U.S. Census for 2010 indicated that families headed by or consisting of same-sex couples reside in every county in Minnesota, and. Whereas, the United. States Supreme Court and others have noted that the dimensions of "family" have expanded considerably in recent years, and Whereas, an amendment to the Minnesota Constitution has been proposed that would ban the legal recognition of sante-sex relationships within the state of Minnesota, and Whereas, such an amendment would frustrate the State's goal of promoting families, by withholding from: some families important legal rights and obligations, and Whereas, constitutions historically have been designed to protect ininorities from the ar6itraryimposition of unjust barriers by the majority, and Whereas, this legislation, if approved, would have a direct, negative impact on Minnesota's GLBT community in particular, by denying equal protection of the law and .relegating families headed by or consisting of swine -sex couples to a permanent second- class citizenship status, and Whereas, the League of Minnesota Human .Rights Commissions recognizes that our , society benefits in proportion to its efforts to ensure cultural diversity and maintain an environment in vdikh all reel welcome and sate, and Whereas, such discriminatory legislation effectively devalues cultural diversity an.d promotes an environment in which discrimination against GLBT citizens is not only encouraged but mandated, resulting in a. community that is neither welcome nor safe, Therefore be. it resolved toot the League of Minnesota Miman Rights Commissions hereby states publicly ilrt opposition to changing the Minnesota constitution in order to ban the legal recognition of same-sex relationships and unions, and 'Be it furthermore resolved that this document will be presented to .members of the press, in addition to our membership. Certification This .resolution was approved by a vote oftli.e Board ofDirectors of the League of Minnesota Human Rights Commissions on Inlay 22, 2011, ,with a total vote of 13 Board Mcinbers, 13 of whom votedd in the affirmative, 0 of whom voted in the n4gative, and 0 of whom abstained. - - _ --League vfMixu�.esQia IIutna�i Ri�lrts Camtnissx4ris�- By the Board of Director's Secretary _... " HUMAN � • •RIGHTS �7O' COMMISSION:. r00 ' There is a significant gap between the fair- ness Minnesotans value and what actually occurs under Minnesota law. That's why Minnesota volunteers formed Project 515 and commissioned its report. At a time when Min- nesotans are discussing many other issues that determine what kind of state we'd like to live in, it's important to discuss another important quality -of -life AL APr; ORE rwww.project5l5.org, IN issue — fairness for all Min- nesotans, including same- sex couples. That's why it's critical to talk about the 515 laws that dis- criminate against Minnesota gay, `lesbian, bisexual and transgendered families, hear the stories of real Minnesotar affected by these laws and take action! t • • Please contact Carolyn Curti • carolyn.curti@ci.roseville.mn.us % PHONE: 651-792-7026 Ligkt Refs' j ----------- =-----------------------------, — ----t------------Many_thanks.to.our Co -Sponsor, --- Shoreview Human Rights Commissions -----------------------�