Minnesotans United

Minnesota’s Largest Hmong Organization Opposes Freedom-Limiting Marriage Amendment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kate Brickman, Press Secretary, MN United
Phone Number: 612-460-1219

Contact: Kham Moua, Board Chair, SOY
Phone Number: 651-373-1776

July 30, 2012 – Saint Paul, MN – The largest Hmong organization in the state has voted overwhelmingly to join the Minnesotans United for All Families coalition and oppose the proposed amendment that would limit the freedom to marry for same-sex couples in Minnesota.

The Board of Directors of the Hmong American Partnership voted to oppose the freedom-limiting marriage amendment, saying “An amendment which would ban marriage to same-sex couples would only hurt our communities and families. Not only does this amendment limit the freedoms of Minnesotans, it also impedes important conversations regarding gender, sexuality, marriage and family that our communities are only beginning to have.”

Hmong American Partnership is the largest Hmong organization in the state, providing Hmong and other refugee communities with services and support to help them adjust to life in America and maximize available opportunities. The nonprofit has been serving the community for more than 20 years. In addition to voting to oppose the marriage amendment, Hmong American Partnership has become an official coalition partner, joining the more than 560 businesses, non-profits, communities of faith and more.

In response to the news, Shades of Yellow (SOY), a Hmong LGBTQ organization based in Minnesota, released the following statement:

“We are proud to see the Hmong American Partnership board of directors recognize that this amendment would impact many in the Hmong community. Marriage and family are strong values that we all share. This amendment would single out a group of people in our community and tell them it is illegal to marry and start a family for themselves. Our families are diverse and come in all shapes and sizes – none of us would want to be told what our families should look like. By defeating this amendment, we would preserve fairness and justice for all families in our community. ”

Minnesotans United for All Families – the official campaign working to defeat the amendment that would limit the freedom to marry for committed, same-sex couples in Minnesota –released the following statement in response to the Hmong American Partnership vote:

“It is incredibly inspiring to see such an important leader in the Hmong community take a courageous stance to support and value all families. This amendment does not reflect the shared values we all embrace as Minnesotans, which are freedom, family and fairness. To single out a group of people simply because of who they are is not how we do things in Minnesota. Same-sex couples want to marry for similar reasons as everyone else, and this amendment represents too much government intrusion in people’s lives. Defeating this amendment is the only way to ensure future generations will be able to participate in the conversation about what marriage means in Minnesota, and who should have the freedom to participate in it.”

Minnesotans United for All Families is a broad coalition of more than 560 organizations working to defeat the proposed constitutional amendment that would limit the freedom to marry for committed same-sex couples in Minnesota.

Shades of Yellow is a Minnesota nonprofit organization and Minnesotans United for All Families coalition member dedicated to empowering a community of Hmong LGBTQ people to create positive cultural and social changes that enhance their lives and their communities.

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