Minneapolis Columnist: Gays will Destroy Marriage

A couple of our Minneapolis readers sent in this column from the Star-Tribune by Katherine Kersten, which apparently had no counterpoint.

Writes Kersten:

"Once marriage is stripped of its organic purpose, why restrict it to two people? Two lesbians and the sperm donor for their child, polygamists, bisexuals: All will want society to recognize and respect their relationships. And why should marriage be open only to people with a sexual relationship? That discriminates against two female friends who want to share the burdens of rearing their kids, or a disabled brother and sister who live together. Some of the most influential proponents of same-sex marriage seek to 'get the state out of the marriage business' altogether. It's ironic that in other realms of life, Americans are very aware of the risks of tampering excessively with nature. Many of those urging us to transform humankind's fundamental social institution are the very people who preach about such risks in the environmental context and warn that the actions of individuals affect the well-being of all. The natural world, they say, can stretch only so far before breaking as we tinker with the realities of its systems."

The Perilous, Slippery Slope of Gay Marriage [star tribune]

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Obama Nominates Sharon Lubinski as U.S. Marshal; Would be First Openly Gay Marshal in the Nation

President Obama yesterday nominated Assistant Minneapolis Police Chief Sharon Lubinski for U.S. Marshal. If she is selected, Lubinski would be the first openly gay U.S. Marshal in the country and one of two active female Marshals of 94 serving across the country, and the first female to serve in Minnesota.

Said Obama: "Assistant Chief Lubinski has dedicated her career to the noble cause of protecting her fellow Americans. She has displayed exceptional courage in the pursuit of justice, and I am honored to nominate her today to continue her selfless work as a U.S. Marshal for the District of Minnesota."

In a press release, the White House noted Lubinski's background: "She has served in the Minneapolis Police Department for 20 years, 10 of those years in command positions. Prior to joining the Minneapolis Police Department, she spent eight years with the Dane County Sheriff’s Department in Madison, Wisconsin. She is currently a member of the community faculty at Metropolitan State University School of Criminal Justice. Lubinski earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a Master’s from Hamline University, where she is also currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Public Administration."

Lubinski said she would be honored to serve: "During my 30-year career, I’ve actively partnered with federal law enforcement agencies in many different capacities,” Lubinski said in a statement. “The U.S. Marshal has a uniquely important role as the chief enforcement officer of the federal courts, charged with ensuring the safety and effective functioning of our justice system."

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Minnesota Teacher Accused of Anti-Gay Harassment Speaks

Diane Cleveland, a Minnesota teacher in Anoka Hennepin district's "Secondary Technical Education Program" who went on leave after the school paid a $25,000 settlement to the family of a boy allegedly being harassed by Cleveland and another teacher because of his perceived sexual orientation, has spoken out through a lawyer.

Cleveland allegedly told the class "[the boy's] fence swings both ways" and said, also before the entire class, that the boy had a "thing for older men" after he proposed doing a report on Ben Franklin. The boy, Alex Merritt, says he is not gay.

The Star Tribune reports: "An Anoka-Hennepin teacher who was disciplined for harassing a student she thought was gay 'steadfastly' denied Thursday that she ever harassed or intended to harass a student, according to her attorney. 'She does not in any way acknowledge harassing anybody,' said Phil Villaume, the attorney for teacher Diane Cleveland. Villaume was responding to documents obtained from the school district by the Star Tribune that include more information about the district's investigation of Cleveland, the discipline that followed and an account of the teacher's defense of her actions to a district official."

According to the school district, other students indepently verified Merritt's claims during its investigation.

Minnesota Teachers Who Mocked Student for Being Gay Are On Leave

A Minnesota school district which recently paid a family $25,000 after a high school junior was harassed by two teachers over his perceived sexual orientation, has announced that the teachers involved are on leave.

The Star Tribune reported in August,  "The boy's 'fence swings both ways,' teacher Diane Cleveland commented during a class in the 2007-2008 school year, according to an investigation by the Minnesota Department of Human Rights. When the boy wrote a report on Ben Franklin, Cleveland allegedly said before the entire class that the boy had a 'thing for older men.' Another teacher, Walter Filson, said in front of other students that the boy 'enjoys wearing women's clothes.' When the boy decided to report on Abraham Lincoln, Filson allegedly said, 'Since you like your men older ...' the Human Rights report said."

Now, the paper reports: "Diane Cleveland, a 39-year-old social studies teacher, and Walter Filson, a 56-year-old law enforcement teacher, went on leave within the past week, said Ginny Karbowski, director of career and technical education for the Secondary Technical Education Program (STEP) in Anoka, where the two taught. Cleveland's attorney, Phil Villaume, said: 'Our position is that she is taking an unpaid, voluntary leave of absence at her request. ... This was done in the last week, and it was her decision and her decision alone.' Villaume doesn't represent Filson and couldn't comment on his status. Filson couldn't be reached for comment."

The teachers should be fired.