Few Minnesotans would be surprised to learn that there's a Norwegian bachelor living on his family's farm near tiny Rollag, an uncorporated community in Clay County, or that said bachelor farmer is an active Lutheran.
A few more might be surprised to learn that Daniel Anderson, a teacher and principal who retired and returned to run the family place, is a gay man. But as Republican Sarah Janecek explained last fall in The bachelor farmer and the marriage vote, gay bachelor farmers have always lived quiet lives on the edge of the prairie, tending to their fields and families.
Anderson's hoping that the Minnesota legislature will allow families led by loving same-sex couples to enjoy the same protections of the law that other Minnesota families now enjoy.
"I believe the freedom to marry the person you love is a civil right," Anderson said, adding, "I believe love is love. I believe everyone should have the same rights. For me it’s a civil right."
His notions of human dignity spring from his strong Lutheran faith. "I was raised in the church and I a person of the church," Anderson said. "As a lifelong Minnesotan and a person of the church, my ideas about human rights and based in the teachings of Jesus Christ about love and acceptance."
Anderson came to believe that marriage equality is important when, as an educator and school administrator, he witnessed the experience of families led by same-sex couples.
"I know a number of gay and lesbian friends in commited relationships, and I have known children attended my schools, from families headed by same sex couples," Anderson said. "I have seen the children of same sex couples be loved, provided for, nurtured--and protected from the bullying by other children and adults."
"These same-sex moms and dads had have to take expensive legal steps to protect their assets and their children’s futures," he recalled. "To me, that’s unjust, unfair and unforgiveable that our society doesn't recognize these families. The law should be changed."
Anderson shared a heart-breaking tale of two friends whose inability to marry heightened the tragedy of one partner's death. "This couple was together for thirteen years. They took all the legal steps that they could to protect their rights and property," Anderson said, his voice breaking in the phone interview. "One man diagnosed with cancer, and when he died, his partner wasn't allowed to witness the death certificate, despite all of the money they had spent on trying to secure their rights as a family."
"The surviving partner was there when the man he loved died, but instead, his sister five states away--she wasn’t there--was the one to witness the death certificate."
The bachelor farmer believes that extending the freedom to marry for all couples will benefit the state as a whole. "It will make our state stable and attract all types of individuals who respect and support diversity. Our economy will be boosted by talented individuals who will be coming here and sharing their gifts in the workforce," Anderson said, citing a study that found that same-sex marriage could boost the economy by $45 million.
"It will also protect the children and families of same sex couples by giving the rights as other families in the state of Minnesota," he added.
As a constituent of state representative Paul Marquart (DFL-Dilworth), Anderson thinks that his legislator should vote to extend the freedom of marry the one you love to all couples.
The Northwestern Minnesota politician will have to take a key vote sooner than the rest of his colleagues. Marquart will be hearing the Clark marriage equality bill as a member of the Minnesota House Ways and Means Committee on Monday.
The committee will meet at 10:00 a.m. in Room 200 of the State Office Building, but take up the bill in the afternoon after the committee reconvenes following the day's floor session. Readers can watch the committee hearing at this link at The Uptake.
Why should Marquart vote yes?
"State legislators need to protect all their constituents," Anderson said. "If they vote no, there will be people who are not afforded equal protection--second class citizens."
"Nobody is a second class citizens in Minnesota," he says. "Everybody is a first class citizen. Everyone should have the same rights."
Photo: Rollag gay Norwegian Lutheran bachelor farmer Daniel Anderson shows off some home canning. It's pure, mostly. Photo via Facebook.
This original story is underwritten by a sponsorship by Minnesotans United for All Families.
Mr. Anderson is Definitely Above Average.
By the way, Rollag is the host of the Western Minnesota Steam Thresher Days, where you can see old-fashioned farm equipment and steam locomotives in operation, and dine on lutefisk and rommegrot. Highly recommended!
Posted by: Phoenix Woman | May 05, 2013 at 11:39 PM
As a Lutheran pastor in No. MN I concure with all Daniel has said and stand firmly with him on this issue. May ALL our legislators realize the importance of legalizing same sex marriage for the benefit of our whole society!
Posted by: Glenn M. Anderson | May 06, 2013 at 10:08 AM