Friday, May 10, 2013

Witnessing History

Yesterday I had the honor of being present at the state Capitol when the MN House of Representatives was voting on the Marriage Equality bill.

I got involved with Minnesotan's United for All Families last fall because I wanted to do something to make sure that this amendment, an amendment that would have limited the rights of many friends, coworkers, neighbors, and people I didn't even know.

When Marriage Equality Bills were introduced in Minnesota I knew I wanted to help that happen to. I have friends who want to get married. They should be able to do that. It was a great chance to reconnect with people I met last fall and finish what was started.

Yesterday I volunteered at the Capitol, greeting people and making sure that everyone I encountered felt safe and supported.

It was amazing to democracy in action. While there was some tension I also witnessed very civil conversations while people waited for equality.

While greeting people I met a man with a sign that said "Jesus is the way" on one side. When I informed him that I was Catholic and wasn't it great that there were so many people of faith on both sides of this issue he informed me that I needed to spend more time with my Bible until I could see the way.

Over the course of the day I gave away a bottle of water (it was very hot in the Capitol). I also gave away an orange to a diabetic man who looked a little shaky. I greeted people with kindness. In addition I listened to people sing songs of love while they waited to see if their families would be recognized by our state. I watched as people with orange signs shared bottles of water to people with pink signs without even thinking twice.  Somehow these things seem more like the Bible I'm familiar with.