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Twin Town High (vol. 8) |
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Do you want to get married?
Wednesday 20 April @ 04:51:47 |
 Ed Felien responds
by Ed Felien
Jack Baker and I go back at least 30 years. We have rarely agreed, but 30 years ago (almost to the day) we were in perfect harmony. He met me in an elevator in City Hall. I was a newly elected City Council Member from the Eighth Ward, and he was lobbying the Council to try to get them to amend the Civil Rights Ordinance to prohibit discrimination against gays. He said workers at Northwestern Bell had to fill out an employment form that had a question, “Are you a homosexual?” If they checked the box, they weren’t hired. I said that was terrible, but that was discrimination based on Freedom of Association and thereby protected by the U.S. Constitution.
 Baker
said that was true, but workers applying for jobs at Northwestern Bell couldn’t
afford to take the issue into Federal Court. He said that if we amended the
Civil Rights Ordinance, that would solve the problem for Minneapolis. I agreed
to author the ordinance. The City Council passed it unanimously and the mayor
signed it, and we were the first major city in the country to protect “affectional
preference” from discrimination.
It is ironic that today Baker and I are on opposite sides. I am arguing for
local initiative and he is arguing that the answer lies in the federal courts.
But we do agree on the objective.
But let me deal with Baker’s ten objections to the Commitment Covenant:
The proposal for a Commitment Covenant does not imply the same-sex love is inferior.
It simply recognizes that the state does not grant it legal status.
This is a simple contract. If you feel the least bit insecure about using this
document, please consult an attorney.
This is not meant to be a fully developed Last Will and Testament; however,
in the absence of such a document this Covenant will indicate the wishes of
the deceased. There is every reason to believe it would have standing in Probate
Court.
Again, this Covenant is not meant to substitute for the four-page Medical Directive
form. It is only meant to indicate that one partner wants the other to decide
medical directives when that partner is incapacitated.
Some banks insist on both parties being named on the account, however, in the
absence of other documents, this contract should have some standing legally
and with bank managers.
I don’t know how Baker thinks we’re giving banking information to
doctors or vice versa.
Agreed. This document does not change one’s tax status in Minnesota.
Nor would it change one’s federal tax status.
 Nor
would it guarantee federal benefits for children adopted by same-sex couples.
Jack and I disagree on the effect of this document. Jack believes it ratifies
the status quo. I believe it moves the acceptance of same-sex marriage forward.
Finally, Jack Baker is doing important work in advancing the cause of justice
for same sex relationships. He is actively fighting in the federal courts, but
there are other fronts in this battle. There is important work being done at
the state and local level, and even a small, alternative, weekly newspaper should
be able to make some kind of contribution. ||
Read also "Stand up to Republican gay bashing" by Dave Tilsen
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