UPDATED: (09/23 8:40 p.m.)
A little more than 40 days from now, Minnesota voters will decide whether or not to define marriage as between a man and a woman.
Sunday thousands gathered for house parties across the state to unite against the Marriage Amendment. One of the more than 300 events was in Moorhead.
The day was very personal for many like Jamie Coston-Hirsch. She says, "Marriage is about love, it's not about anything else. It's about love and commitment."
Coston-Hirsch and her wife were married in December of 2009 in Iowa, where same-sex marriage is legal.
Her story was one of many being shared Sunday in the final "One Day United" campaign hosted in several cities statewide by Minnesotans United for All Families. More than 20,000 people gathered to hear a shared message.
Coston-Hirsch says, "The government shouldn't be putting...shouldn't be allowed to step in to matters of the heart where love is concerned."
Minnesotans United for All Families Community Organizer Luke Ferguson says, "We want to send the message that we're here and we're fighting to defeat this amendment."
A new poll from the Star Tribune shows that Minnesotans are very divided on this issue. Of the 800 people the Tribune talked to, nearly half of them will vote against the amendment.
Ferguson says, "We've come from a long way down in the polls, and now being in a dead heat because we've gotten together as a community."
Those seeking a "no" vote say now is crunch time but recognize that their hard work is starting to show through the most recent poll.
"Our personal stories are getting out there. We are starting to connect with everyone," says Coston-Hirsch.
She is not surprised some Minnesota voters are trying to pass this amendment. Many states have tried to do the same.
She just hopes everyone will take time to listen her story to consider the impact of voting yes.
"It's not going to affect every family, but it will affect mine," Coston-Hirsch says.
Today's event was also a launch for a new Minnesotans United for All Families office in Moorhead. A full-time community organizer will help host events, like this one, locally.
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More than 20,000 people are expected to come together Sunday for an historic 300 house parties aimed at defeating the Minnesota Marriage Amendment.
These house parties are happening with a little more than 40 days until the November election. Thousands will have conversations with friends and family about what marriage means and why they are voting no on November 6.
Parties are planned in cities including Minneapolis, St. Paul, Duluth, Mankato, Rochester and Moorhead.
If approved, the Marriage Amendment would define marriage as between a man and a woman. Those against the amendment say it would limit the freedom to marry for committed gay and lesbian couples in the state.
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