There is a significant gap between the fairness Minnesotans value and what actually occurs under Minnesota law. That’s why Minnesota volunteers formed Project 515 and commissioned its report. At a time when Minnesotans are discussing many other issues — including health care, education and transportation — that determine what kind of state we’d like to live in, it’s important to discuss another important quality-of-life issue — fairness for all Minnesotans.
Some Minnesotans believe that committed same-sex couples and unmarried domestic partners can gain the rights and protections denied them by more than 515 discriminatory laws in Minnesota by signing legal documents and contracts. This simply is not true. Even if couples are willing to go to the expense of obtaining legal counsel, most of the rights and responsibilities automatically provided to married couples cannot be replicated by signing legal documents or contracts. That’s the law.
That’s why it’s critical to talk about the 515 laws that discriminate against Minnesota families, hear the stories of real Minnesotans affected by these laws and take action!
