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Roseville Human Rights Commission <br />May 10, 2012 - Minutes <br />Page 4 of 7 <br />citizens and did not have the right to pursue their happiness, none of which would be not be affected <br />by passage of this amendment. Currently the law states marriage as being between one man and <br />one woman, so its passage would keep that as a law. The amendment did not deny equal protection <br />under the law nor was it designed to criminalize homosexuality. He said he questioned why the <br />Human Rights Commission was involved in this issue since it was a state issue, not a city issue. <br />Zac Delventhal, representing the organization Minnesotans United for All Families, advised the <br />Commission of the opposition of many Roseville residents who as members of this organization <br />were against the marriage amendment. He spoke personally of his best friend who he met in a <br />Christian elementary school, which experience caused him to reflect upon his faith. He respectfully <br />asked that others not impose their faith on him; his faith acknowledges the loving relationship his <br />friend and his partner have, <br />Roseville resident Dick Houck objected to non - residents speaking to a Roseville commission. He <br />said he would not speak for or against the amendment because he did not believe this was an <br />appropriate forum for that purpose. Mr. Houck said that the Commission had no authority or right <br />to make statements for the City and its residents, adding that neither the Commission nor the <br />Council had the authority or jurisdiction to make statements on issues outside of the concern of the <br />City of Roseville. He urged the Commission to abandon this effort. <br />Ed Wollerman, a Roseville resident married for 52 years, expressed his concern that gay marriage <br />would put organizations like Catholic Charities out of business because it conflicts with their <br />mission.. He indicated that he had attended several legislative meetings on this issue where the <br />issue was thoroughly discussed, and at times felt threatened by amendment opponents who <br />described its supporters as bigots. Mr. Wollerman volunteered that at times at these legislative <br />hearings he wondered who was the minority. <br />Cathleen O'Leary, a long -term Roseville, said she would be proud if the Commission took a public <br />position against the marriage amendment, and that she would be even more proud if her elected <br />officials took a stand against the amendment. <br />Mary Kay Von De Linde said she wanted to add her voice to others who wanted the Commission to <br />oppose the marriage amendment. She said it is a human rights issue and did not believe anyone <br />should judge what makes a family as long as there are two loving people who would like to make a <br />family. <br />Kelly Skare - Klecker said she had lived in Roseville for thirty of her thirty -four years, and has <br />always loved Roseville.. She and her partner decided to move to Roseville and have a family here <br />because it felt so right for them, and felt so open and accepting of all people. She said her family, <br />church, friends and neighbors supported her and her partner, and asked that the Commission also go <br />on record supporting her family. <br />Roseville resident Catherine Adeboye said she believed the right to marry is a basic human right. <br />She added that she would like the Commission to take a stand against this constitution amendment <br />because she did not believe the Constitution should be used to exclude a minority. <br />