Protesters of amendment banning same-sex marriage fill Capitol

by Laura Yuen, Minnesota Public Radio

St. Paul, Minn. — Hundreds of demonstrators packed the State Capitol Monday to protest a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.

Pat Stenglein of Northfield and her husband brought their toddler grandson to the rally. Stenglein, 59, who has a child who is gay, said she came to support gay rights while raising her two daughters in a small town.

"We saw how children who are gay or lesbian had to leave town, how people wouldn't acknowledge that they were their parents or their grandparents," Stenglein said.

A bill that would put the question of same-sex marriage on the ballot in 2012 passed the Senate last week. A House committee will consider the proposal Wednesday.

The House is also expected to approve the measure.

Supporters say it allows the public to decide the issue, rather than the courts or the Legislature.