Bluestem's been an unabashed fan of Vicki Jensen ever since we got to know her and husband Trevor via the Minnesota Farmers Union. While we didn't always see eye-to-eye on some farm policy, her strong positions on education and women's issues clinched the admiration.
Now she's getting the news coverage her political courage in yesterday's Senate vote deserves. The Mankato Free Press's Dan Linehan reports in Gay marriage hits home for minister:
Sen. Vicki Jensen, a Democrat who lives in Owatonna and also represents Waseca, was the only south-central Minnesota legislator to speak on the floor. Her district supported last fall’s constitutional amendment banning gay marriage 57 percent to 43 percent.
She said the issue was clarified for her by the 2009 Iowa Supreme Court case Varnum v. Brien, in which that court decreed that Iowa’s law restricting marriage to opposite-sex couples violated the state’s constitution.
“At the heart is the doctrine of equal protection, and that’s my opinion as well,” Jensen said.
In other words, the government has to treat same- and opposite-sex marriages the same because there’s no legal reason to treat them differently.
In her district, the Huckle media chain papers reported in Owatonna senator votes for gay marriage, while Blooming Prairie senator votes no:
Jensen said the Capitol was filled with supporters and opponents of the bill, similar to the scene last Thursday when the House voted.
“There was just so much excitement and people here. I’m so proud to have been a part of it. I think it’s democracy at its best. It was a great experience.”
Jensen said she studied the issue over and over again before deciding to vote for the bill. She looked at the 2009 Iowa Supreme Court case that struck down the law forbidding gay marriage in the Hawkeye state, saying it was unconstitutional to deny rights to same-sex couples. She said that case offered clarity on the issue.
“I’m somebody who puts a lot of heart and passion into every vote, whether it’s taxes or gay marriage. I study what I can to understand every implication.”
Several supporters of the gay marriage bill took to the People’s Press’ Facebook page to thank Jensen for her vote
“Thank you Senator Jensen for voting for equal rights for all!” wrote Julie Perkins Dunn. “Why I voted for you!”
Jimmy Harris wrote that marriage in the legal sense has nothing to do with God, or even love, for that matter.
“It is a system to determine property division, probate, child custody, insurance, and the like. Those questions of law should absolutely apply to every citizen equally,” Harris wrote.
Huffington Post (via the AP) and Ms Magazine picked up on her more sentimental reason for voting yes:
Senator Vicki Jensen (DFL-District 24) said, "I could never and I would never deny the kind of recognition and all the other positive things I get out of my marriage with my husband, to anyone else."
Campaigning last year, Jensen had told voters in her district that she opposed the amendment to restrict marriage and supported the freedom to marry for all loving couples. They supported the amendment but also elected her.
Photo: Senator Jensen presiding over the Minnesota Senate last week. Definitely not an Emo Senator, although she replaced one.
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