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Politics & Government

Rep. Simon Urges Support For Same-Sex Marriage Campaign

The Hopkins legislator was joined by legislative and LGBT leaders Monday night.

On Monday night, opponents of a , including Hopkins Rep. Steve Simon (DFL-District 44A), launched their campaign at Minneapolis' Loring Theater.

"Our job is simple: Minnesotans are good and decent people," Simon said. "All we have to do is hold up a mirror to Minnesota and show Minnesotans themselves (in the LGBT community's struggles)."

During last month's vote to place the proposed amendment on the 2012 ballot, Simon became an overnight Internet celebrity among the gay community for a  he made on the House floor in which he asked, "How many more gay people does God have to create before we ask ourselves whether or not God actually wants them around?"

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In between music and dance performances, Simon and other legislative and LGBT community leaders spoke to the crowd of around 100, urging them to support the campaign with their money and time. Speakers were upbeat on their chances of winning the vote, particularly because of polls showing support for same-sex marriage among young people.

"Just think: on election day, today's 16 year-olds will be 18 then, and we know from the polls that the kids are with us," Minneapolis Sen. Scott Dibble said. "They're going to hassle their parents and then their parents and grandparents are going to come with us."

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Dibble, who is the only openly gay member of the Minnesota Senate, and Simon said the campaign will rest partly on advertisements, as well as personal conversations between members of Minnesota's LGBT community and their friends, coworkers, relatives and neighbors who support the proposed amendment, or who are on the fence.

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