On November 6, 2012, the people of Minnesota will be voting on whether or not to amend the state constitution to "provide that only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in Minnesota."[1] Because the approval of such a provision would directly discriminate against (and thus perpetuate the stigmatization of) those who identify with the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) community by depriving them of the same rights and recognition under state law as heterosexual couples, the Student Senate of the University of Minnesota believes it must take a stance on the proposed amendment. In making its decision, the body has considered three points:

(1)  The mission statement of the University of Minnesota, which states that in the exchange of ideas it is imperative to "provide an atmosphere of mutual respect, free from racism, sexism, and other forms of prejudice and intolerance"[2]; and,

(2)  The responsibility of the Student Senate is to deal "with any issue that affects the academic mission of the University or general welfare of ... students" while still working "for the betterment of the University as a whole"[3]; and, lastly,

(3)  GLBT students who are denied the full rights and recognition by state law that heterosexual couples enjoy are more likely to leave the state upon completion of their degree. As each student's education through the University represents a significant investment in Minnesota's future by the state itself, we believe the state has a vested interest in retaining those it has helped educate.

For these reasons, the Student Senate of the University of Minnesota believes the amendment is neither in the best interest of the University of Minnesota nor its students, and the Student Senate therefore rejects it. In addition, this body urges citizens – students and non – to stand with the GLBT community and vote against the proposed constitutional amendment.