Fifty-five arts organizations announced Monday that they will work toward defeating the proposed constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage and civil unions.
Sheila Smith, executive director of Minnesota Citizens for the Arts, said the amendment would "limit our state's ability to recruit the best and the brightest to be a part of our state's future."
Joe Dowling, Director of the Guthrie Theater, and Ryan French, director of marketing and public relations for the Walker Art Center, both spoke at a press conference where the coalition was announced. Nearly 100 representatives of the group attended the kickoff at Illusion Theater in Minneapolis, according to a press release.
Dowling said he attended a marriage of two Minnesota men, who went to New York for the ceremony.
"I was struck with sadness that such an event was not possible here," Dowling said.
Same-sex marriage is already illegal in Minnesota; proponents believe the amendment is necessary to prevent courts from changing that. The proposition will be on the November ballot.
