Protecting Marriage Equality: Fighting for Justice and Respect

When marriage equality was being debated in the United States, I had the opportunity to speak on behalf of my sister at the Delano, MN City Hall. That experience was eye-opening—it taught me that persuasion is stronger than fear-mongering and that reasonable people can reach reasonable conclusions when presented with accurate, compassionate information.

LGBTQ+ individuals deserve the same respect, dignity, and rights as anyone else. The ability to marry the person you love is not just a legal matter—it’s about recognizing our shared humanity. Marriage equality is reasonable, rational, and, more importantly, it is just.

I will continue to fight in defense of LGBTQ+ rights and push for the expansion of those rights. I acknowledge that I may not always know everything or fully understand the nuances of every issue. But what I can promise is that I will listen, learn, and advocate based on the needs and perspectives of the community.

Marriage equality represents more than a legal right—it’s a reflection of the core values of fairness, love, and respect. Upholding and expanding these rights strengthens the very fabric of our democracy by affirming that everyone deserves equal protection under the law.

By standing together and ensuring that all people—regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity—are treated with fairness and respect, we build a more inclusive, compassionate society for future generations.