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Roseville Human Rights Commission May 10, 2012 - Minutes Page 5 of 7 Calista Adeboye said her family was composed of her mother, sister, and her mother's partner. If her mother would get married, that would not have any impact on anyone else's family except her own. Passing such an amendment would do so much harm to so many families like hers. Barbara Taylor said she and her husband had moved to Roseville forty years ago, and raised their four children here. In the early 1990's two of her children came out to her and her husband, and she told the Commission that nothing would please her more than having all her children the right to marry the person they loved. She encouraged the Commission to take a stand against the marriage amendment. Alex Urshair, a Lauderdale resident and a senior -at the Roseville High School, introduced herself as the student leader of the Gay /Straight Alliance at the school. She said that if the amendment was approved it would further marginalize an entire category of people, and expressed her concern what that message would say to young people. Luke Muelke introduced himself as a Falcon Heights resident and a student at the Roseville High School. He quoted several sections of the US and Minnesota Constitutions in expressing his opposition to the marriage amendment Donna Cook said that she had recently moved to Roseville three years ago to attend veterinary school at the University. She expressed her understanding that our country was built specifically for religious freedom so that this country could not impose religious mores of one type or another on any citizen. Currently, however, some believe it is OK to tell people who they can marry because some brand of religion sees it as an abomination. Roseville resident Erica Brunik spoke of an experience she had with her youngest daughter when she was first learning how to ride her bike, and her current experience preparing her eldest daughter who was now leaving for college. She asked what message would be sent her children by the passage of this amendment, namely that she and her life -long partner could not be recognized in this state as a valid couple. She concluded by urging the Commission to consider what impact passing this amendment would have on future generations of children. Bruce Ona introduced himself as a Roseville resident and single parent who had raised his daughter alone. He indicated that his daughter had suffered by not having a mother which led him to his first conclusion that children benefited by having a mother and a father, the mother nurturing and the father providing discipline and a destiny or purpose that a child needs. He added that the destructive nature of not having a father and a mother was shown by the fact that 90% of the men in prison did not have an active relationship with a dad. Mr. Ona also referred to several studies of the Center for Disease Control which indicated that homosexuals had a greater incidence of alcoholism and illegal drug use. He encouraged the Commission to support the marriage amendment. Paul Siliciano introduced himself as a married man of thirty -years who was proud to be a Roseville resident and that the commission was considering this topic. He said he wanted to make two practical points. First, gay marriage would have no impact upon his marriage and could not understand why people think other loving couples marrying would hurt traditional marriage.