Minn. Activists Strategize On Passing Gay Marriage

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- More than 500 people gathered in Minneapolis this weekend to discuss strategy for legalizing gay marriage in Minnesota.

Organizer Michelle Dibblee of the Equality and Justice Summit discussed how a grass-roots campaign to pass such legislation would work. Minnesota Public Radio reports she says they won't have enough votes to win unless they persuade some legislators to make politically difficult decisions.

Another participant, Ruth Larson, says it makes political sense to act now while Democrats control the Legislature and governor's office.

But incoming House Majority Leader Erin Murphy won't say if the Legislature will take up the issue of same-sex marriage.

Andy Parrish, an organizer of the unsuccessful effort to write a same-sex marriage ban into the state constitution, is daring Democrats to act so Republicans can respond.

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