Scott County residents attended a kick-off event July 12 at Turtle's 1890 Social Centre for Scott County Votes No, sponsored by Minnesotans United for all Families, mnunited.org. The group is working to defeat an amendment seeking to limit the freedom to marry for committed couples in Minnesota.

Shakopee Mayor Brad Tabke was asked to speak at the event and before agreeing to it, said in a recent blog post that he struggled and sought advice about whether to get involved.

"I spoke with a lot of folks I trust on both sides of the aisle about whether it was a good idea to speak up or not," he wrote. "Most said it was an issue where I do not need to be involved. It is a state issue, it doesn’t affect Shakopee, mayors are non-partisan, etc."

Tabke ultimately decided to get involved because he sees it as a non-partisan issue and that as Mayor of Shakopee, he represents many gay couples and believes it is right to stand up for them.

"In opposition to a majority of the smart advice I received, I decided to follow my conscience," he continued. "This amendment is simply wrong and, as Mayor of Shakopee, I will do what it takes to defeat it."

He also argues that the argument against the marriage amendment goes beyond love, citing quotes by leaders of several Minnesota employers who oppose the amendment. "It is also an issue of economic development, the cornerstone of my mayoral platform," Tabke wrote. 

In May 2011, the Minnesota State Legislature voted to put a constitutional amendment on the 2012 ballots in Minnesota that will read: “Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to provide that only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as marriage in Minnesota?” 

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