What life experience will inform your vote on the marriage amendment?

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What life experience will inform your vote on the marriage amendment?

By Anna Weggel | Jul. 08, 2011 | 499 Submissions

In November 2012, Minnesota voters will be asked to decide whether to amend the Minnesota Constitution to say that "only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage" in Minnesota.

Our names are Jeff Jones and Anna Weggel and we're producers with American Public Media's Public Insight Network and we want to start a civil and honest conversation around this issue. Our hunch is that voters are more influenced by their own experience and by the stories they hear from others than by the big-budget advertising that will soon start to dominate this issue. So we're asking for your story. Leave opinion and accusations at the door and just tell the real, personal experience that guides your thinking around this issue.

If your religious faith informs your perspective, we want to know it. If your family or friends have shaped your views, let us know. Whether you support the amendment or oppose it -- or maybe you're still struggling with a decision -- your real story can be part of the conversation voters deserve to have on this issue: one that is civil and honest.

Here are a few videos we've put together so far around this topic (click the "next" button to scroll through):

Respond Stories

PIN source featured in article about same-sex couples creating change in next election

PIN source Peter Sage and his partner Jay Haukom are one of 14,000 same-sex couples living in Minnesota. New census data showing the number of households occupied by same-sex couples rose by 50 percent in Minnesota over the last decade could have rippling effects as the state heads toward a constitutional vote on same-sex marriage in next year's election.

Story

Jul. 14, 2011

Karen Wills on the MN marriage amendment

In November 2012, voters will be asked to decide if the Minnesota Constitution should be amended to say that "only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage" in Minnesota. Karen Wills, a source in the Public Insight Network, and her dads share the stories behind their votes.

Story

Aug. 18, 2011

Bob Mac Murdo on the MN marriage amendment

In November 2012, voters will be asked to decide if the Minnesota Constitution should be amended to say that "only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage" in Minnesota. Bob Mac Murdo, a source in the Public Insight Network, shares the story behind his vote.

Story

Aug. 30, 2011

Tom Markham on the MN marriage amendment

In November 2012, voters will be asked to decide if the Minnesota Constitution should be amended to say that "only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage" in Minnesota. Tom Markham, a source from the Public Insight Network, shares the story behind his vote.

Story

Oct. 12, 2011

Cheyenne Bishop on the MN marriage amendment

In November 2012, voters will be asked to decide if the Minnesota Constitution should be amended to say that "only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage" in Minnesota. Cheyenne Bishop, a source in the Public Insight Network, shares the story behind her vote.

Story

Sep. 22, 2011

Wendy Horowitz and Julian Bowers on the MN marriage amendment

In November 2012, voters will be asked to decide if the Minnesota Constitution should be amended to say that "only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage" in Minnesota. Wendy Horowitz and Julian Bowers, from the Public Insight Network, share the story behind their votes.

Story

Sep. 30, 2011

Roger and Liz O'Daniel on the MN marriage amendment

In November 2012, voters will be asked to decide if the Minnesota Constitution should be amended to say that "only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage" in Minnesota. Roger O'Daniel, a source in the Public Insight Network, and his wife Liz share the stories behind their votes.

Story

Aug. 24, 2011

Jim Lawser and Duane Bandel on the MN marriage amendment

In November 2012, voters will be asked to decide if the Minnesota Constitution should be amended to say that "only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage" in Minnesota. Jim Lawser and Duane Bandel, sources in the Public Insight Network, share the stories behind their votes.

Story

Aug. 02, 2011

Aaron Crosby on the MN marriage amendment

In November 2012, voters will be asked to decide if the Minnesota Constitution should be amended to say that "only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage" in Minnesota. Aaron Crosby, a source in the Public Insight Network, shares the story behind his vote.

Story

Sep. 30, 2011

Jim McKie on the MN marriage amendment

In November 2012, voters will be asked to decide if the Minnesota Constitution should be amended to say that "only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage" in Minnesota. Jim McKie, a source in the Public Insight Network, shares the story behind his vote.

Story

Aug. 30, 2011

Mark Hayes on the MN marriage amendment

In November 2012, voters will be asked to decide if the Minnesota Constitution should be amended to say that "only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage" in Minnesota. Mark Hayes, a source in the Public Insight Network, shares the story behind his vote.

Story

Dec. 05, 2011

Liesl Rohland on the MN marriage amendment

In November 2012, voters will be asked to decide if the Minnesota Constitution should be amended to say that "only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage" in Minnesota. Liesl Rohland, a source in the Public Insight Network, shares the story behind her vote.

Story

Dec. 05, 2011

Catholic family with lesbian sister discusses dilemma over marriage amendment

Eileen Scallen's story stood out when we asked people for the experience that will inform their vote on Minnesota's upcoming marriage amendment. Even though she is open about her sexuality with her brothers and sisters, she told us she had no idea how they planned to vote on this issue. So MPR News asked them.

Story

Dec. 23, 2011

Video series explores stories behind marriage amendment vote

Jeff Jones and Anna Weggel, producers for American Public Media's Public Insight Network, sought voters from the PIN who could clarify the personal experiences that informed their vote on the MN marriage amendment.

Story

Mar. 22, 2012