Senior Consulting Editor Laine Higgins ’13 was one of many Blake students, parents, and faculty members in attendance at the state capitol in St. Paul yesterday when the state Senate passed the Freedom to Marry Bill, becoming the twelfth state in the nation to legally recognize same-sex marriage.
Above: Blake teachers Kelli Winkler, Christin Winkler, Lizz Buchanan and JJ Kahle show their support as they wait in line for tickets to the senate chamber.
A sea of orange and blue gathered inside the rotunda throughout the day. Gay marriage supporters filled the hall with a somber song, repeating choruses of “we are the sun, we are a new beginning.”
Others protested against the bill, urging Minnesota senators to “vote no” and “don’t erase moms and dads.” Interestingly, none or the people Higgins photographed holding pink “vote no” signs wanted their names credited in this article, some not even wanting their faces shown.
Supporters held signs with written messages such as, “I am a mom and I support the freedom to marry” or “I am a dad and in a 13-year relationship and I support the freedom to marry.” Those supporting the bill included Joe Owens ’15 and Carolyn Uphus ’15 (below, top right).
