An amendment to the state’s constitution -- which is to be voted on in November -- seeks to define marriage as between one man and one woman, providing a constitutional objection to future attempts to legalise same-sex marriage, which is currently illegal in the state.
Writing in the Star Tribune newspaper, seven high-profile lawyers publicly expressed their opposition to the amendment, arguing that it ‘strives to prevent future judicial or legislative action that could allow our citizens to marry and enjoy a right that is available to all others.’

Business climate

The group is also concerned that the amendment could ‘endanger our business climate, signalling that ours is a community that does not welcome members of the LGBT [lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender] community.’
The lawyers are among the 1,600 legal professionals and 30 law firms that have joined the Minnesotans United for All Families Coalition, a group campaigning against the amendment.

Partisan

On the other side of the debate is the Lawyers for Marriage group. Formed last month as a branch of the wider Minnesotans for Marriage affiliation, it supports the amendment and so far, 40 attorneys have joined with more expected.
Kevin Conneely, chairman of Lawyers for Marriage, told the Minnesota Lawyer publication that he had reservations about lawyers publicly expressing opinions on the matter, saying that ‘as a profession, we can’t appear to be partisan’. But he went on to say: ‘I am not worried about [losing any business] as a result of my thoughts on this issue. Joining this group allows me to speak in my individual capacity as an attorney and as a citizen-voter.’