ROCHESTER, Minn. (KTTC)- A vote in November will determine whether Minnesota supports or opposes gay marriage once and for all, and as voting day gets closer, both sides continue to push their agenda.
On the ballot in November, voters will see the question "Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to provide that only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in Minnesota? Yes or No."
People with strong opinions on this issue are raising their voices louder each day, including the Catholic Diocese of Winona, who makes their position very clear.
"The Catholic Church sees marriage as a unique relationship," explains Bishop John M. Quinn from the Diocese of Winona. "It is, really, from the beginning of human history, that men and women, that this is the way in which the human family continues."
There are some churches in the area that embrace gay marriage and oppose the amendment, but those with the Diocese feel that their official stance on the issue is convincing people to see things a certain way.
"So, there are people that are always concerned that this might look like a bigoted approach, but the funny thing is we tell them that this is really love and that we don't hate anyone, this is for marriage," says Peter Martin with the Diocese's Office of Life.
There are rallies planned for those opposing the amendment, including one at Peace United Church of Christ Thursday night in Rochester called "Rochester Votes No".
Minnesota for Marriage spokesman Chuck Darrell says that there is a phone bank being organized through the Twin Cities that individual homes in Rochester will be able to help with.
Both sides are digging in for quite the battle ahead.
