MN United PAC Announces First Round of Pro-Equality Lawmakers to Get Reelection Support: VIDEO

Leaders of the fight for marriage equality in Minnesota appear in a new video for Twin Cities PRIDE as the state celebrates its first LGBT Pride since passage of the new law.

Watch it, AFTER THE JUMP...

In related news, MN United PAC, the political fund formed by gay marriage advocacy group Minnesotans United for All Families, announced its “Minnesota 15″ initiative to assist the pro-equality lawmakers running for reelection in the fall. The group named the first lawmakers to receive their support, Politics Minnesota reports:

Topping that list is DFL Rep. Joe Radinovich, a freshman lawmaker from Crosby who won in GOP-friendly House District 10B by only 323 votes last fall. Radinovich was the subject of a brief recall effort organized by Crow County Republicans over his gay marriage vote. The recall pursuit was recently shot down by the state Supreme Court, but Republicans in the area have vowed to continue their push to oust the first-term lawmaker from office next fall.

DFL Reps. Shannon Savick, Wells, John Persell, Bemidji, Roger Erickson, Baudette, and Tim Faust, Hinckley, round out the first list released by the group.

Tom Emmer Sets His Sights On Michelle Bachmann's Vacant Seat

With Michelle Bachman announcing her decision to not run for reelection Minnesota Republicans have begun lining up to claim her Sixth District seat, and Tom Emmer is the first to announce his bid, the Star Tribune reports.

The 2010 failed gubernatorial candidate said that he has "never felt more compelled in my life to serve,” and cites the IRS scandals and out-of-control spending as reasons to run, asking "Is this the legacy we want to leave to our children?” 

During his run for governor in 2010 Tom Emmer's anti-gay views were brought into focus. He donated money to You Can Run But You Cannot Hide ministries, whose band Junkyard Prophets supports executing homosexuals; he authored a consitutional amendment to ban gay marriage and fought against gay couples being given any rights; and fought against gay and lesbian couples being able to use a surrogate to concieve children. In the middle of all of this, Target and Best Buy suffered boycotts and backlash for donating to Emmer's conservative MN Forward PAC.

Presently, no Democrats have announced that they will run against him, but elections are still 18 months away which is plenty of time for a contender to emerge.

Meet the First Gay Couple Issued a Marriage License in Minnesota: PHOTO

(twitter bryan piatt)

Couples lined up early Thursday morning to receive the first marriage licenses issued to gay couples in Minnesota. They will be able to marry starting August 1.

Bryan Piatt tweets the above photo: "There it is. First same sex marriage license in Minnesota."

The couple is Al Giraud and his partner JEff Isaacoson, who met watching football in a sports bar in Tampa, and have been together for 11 years, MPR News reports:

Isaacson, a banking analyst, said the couple wanted to be the first to apply, after being together for more than a decade.

"It's the commitment between the two of us, and the fact that it not only is going to be recognized by our friends and family, it's now going to be recognized by the state," he said of their motivation. "We won't have to fight for any of the same rights that married couples currently have."

The law legalizing same-sex marriage in Minnesota takes effect on Aug. 1, and officials in Hennepin, Ramsey and Washington counties are taking applications early.

The couple says they'll marry the morning of August 1.

NFL MVP Adrian Peterson: I'd Be Uneasy Showering with Gay Teammate But Would Still Pat Him on the Butt

Minnesota Vikings running back and reigning NFL MVP Adrian Peterson, who made headlines last week when he said he's "not with" gay marriage, tells the Oklahoman that he wouldn't mind having a gay teammate, except maybe in the locker room showers:

“Simple things, as far as showers and things like that, you know, of course, anyone would be uncomfortable,” Peterson said Monday. “But you know, I'm a grown man. There's things that I can deal with. I'm comfortable in my skin. I'll still high-five them. Pat them on the butt when he's doing good, and go on about my business.”

As a reminder, here are Peterson's remarks on same-sex marriage:

"To each his own, (but) I’m not with it. I have relatives that are gay. I’m not biased towards them. I still treat them the same. I love them. But, again, I’m not with that. That’s not something I believe in. But to each his own."

Many players have been voicing their opinion on this topic lately.

Indianapolis Colts QB Andrew Luck told CNN over the weekend that he'd have "no problem" with a gay teammate and "I'd be disappointed if there was a negative reaction among players." Luck said he hoped that a gay player would feel comfortable coming out.

Rookie Steelers QB Landry Jones said as a Christian he doesn't believe in homosexuality but it would not interfere with his game: "I don't think it's right, but it's their life and I'm not going to go up because someone is gay and be mean or hateful and say terrible things to them. I'm going to treat them like a human being."

New York Jets linebacker DeMario Davis said he thinks gays are sinners but he'd welcome one to the team.

And NFL legend Joe Namath said over the weekend that homophobic players should "get over it":

"I have friends that are gay. I've worked in theater, I've been in art, you know, for some time. We work shoulder to shoulder. There's a lot of love from me to them, too. That's life, you know. And if you've got a hangup about it, I hope you can get over it because it's real."

Michele Bachmann Says She's Amazing, But Not Seeking Reelection: VIDEO

In a new video, Michele Bachmann says that an 8-year term in the House is enough and she won't be seeking reelection even though she's perfect in every way possible.

The decision, she also notes, has nothing to do with  an ongoing ethics investigation into misconduct during her 2012 presidential campaign:

"It was clearly understood that compliance with all rules and regulations was an absolute necessity for my presidential campaign. And I have no reason to believe that that was not the case."

Looking directly into the correct camera, Bachmann says she'll continue to fight for family values, and all the things she hates about Obama.

"I fully anticipate the mainstream liberal media to put a detrimental spin on my decision not to seek a fifth term. Since I was first elected to Congress many years ago they always seem to find a dishonest way to disparage me. But I take being the focus of their attention and disparagement as a true compliment of my public service effectiveness."

Watch, AFTER THE JUMP....

NFL MVP Adrian Peterson 'Not With' Gay Marriage

Amani Toomer and Bruce Murray interviewed Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, the reigning NFL MVP on Thursday, asking him what his feelings are about same-sex marriage:

"To each his own, (but) I’m not with it. I have relatives that are gay. I’m not biased towards them. I still treat them the same. I love them. But, again, I’m not with that. That’s not something I believe in. But to each his own."

Peterson also commented on the recent loss of his teammate, outspoken punter Chris Kluwe, and said that he didn't believe it was Kluwe's views which led to his dismissal:

"It hurt me to see him leave. He was a good friend of mine and a really cool guy – probably one of the smartest guys I’ve ever been around. (He’s) different. I’m sure the Vikings organization didn’t release him based on [his gay rights advocacy]. They’ve been knowing him for a long time. They know he’s outspoken."