Politics & Government

Carlson Testifies in Favor of Same-Sex Marriage During Monday Debate

Sen. Jim Carlson (DFL) told his fellow senators that his friendships with same-sex couples in his district has broadened his understanding and acceptance of the issue.

The love that committed same-sex couples share is "really no different than the love I have for my wife of 40 years," Burnsville's District 51 Sen. Jim Carlson (DFL), told his fellow senators on Monday.

Carlson spoke on the Senate floor in favor of a bill legalizing same-sex marriage on Monday afternoon and, like other legislators, shared a very personal account of his acceptance of same-sex relationships.

The Senate, which took up the issue shortly after noon on Monday, is expected to vote this afternoon whether to pass the proposal. If the legislation is approved, Gov. Mark Dayton has said he will sign the bill into law. The bill passed the Minnesota House on a 75-59 vote last week.

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Carlson began by admitting that, as a young student decades ago, he had no knowledge of the gay community, and may have bullied classmates who seemed different.

But over the years, Carlson met constituents, community members and neighbors that, one-by-one, broadened his understanding of same-sex relationships.

Find out what's happening in Burnsvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

One of those encounters came nine years ago on the campaign trail, when Carlson met with an elderly man during a door-knocking initiative. The man asked Carlson about his views on same-sex relationships, then revealed that his recently-deceased brother had been in a 40-year committed relationship with another man.

"This statement put me on the road to a new area of learning," Carlson said.

Their love, and the love of other gay community members Carlson later met, have changed him from "advocate to activist," Carlson told the Senate.


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